This is another story, which should be seen in relation to "The Lay of Azagal the Sinister"
The lay of Azagal the Sinister and The lay of Naalia will be two parts of a trinity, the third being The lay of Curun, which is at a very early stage
(The tragedy of the Dread queen)
Canto I
Muse of the Gods, I thee implore
help me recall this ancient lore
help me, this ancient tale to tell
of Naalia and how she fell
of how the ancients gave their lore
that their might she could restore
the dread queen had many a name
the wilted rose, the frozen flame
known as the lady of the sea
all that she sought was to be free
now listen, as I tell to thee
the story of a girl so young
a tragic tale here shalt be sung
The wind that whispers in her hair
distant voices - singing fair
and she walks the beach alone
coldness in her veins of stone
an ancient song she does intone:
a song of loss, a song of hate
a tale of a sinister fate
few live who remember yet
and those who do, wish to forget
she sings a song now, shrill and clear
she sings to those who will not hear
she sings to those who held her dear
bereft of fate, she sings her fear
An answer rises from the waves
words resounding from the caves
the ancients of the sea coincide
that in them she may confide
as weeping, she awaits the tide
her eyes in an unearthly glow
tell of what they should not know
her scabbéd wings do now unfold
a scream so piercing, shrill and cold
resounding in the breathless night
evil creatures take to flight
and knowing what she cannot be
now she merges with the sea.
And the seas are torn apart
as she undoes her blackened heart
she walks the shore; her long black hair
falling lose, her skin is bare
her wings held low her skin is grey
her voice the cold touch of decay
she is older than the trees
she is fairer than the breeze
now an elder from the seas
she is colder than the ice
and their death is in her eyes
empty now she is inside
from the secrets she must hide.
Daughter fear, she haunts their dreams
in mockery, or so it seems
caught within an empty shell
she remembers all too well
whispers to them tales of hate
whispers to them of her fate
her coldness burning like the sun
remembering when she was one
one of their race, one of their kind
but never one like them in mind
ever seeing, ever blind
on the roof she hides her wings
when coldly once again she sings
Sings the song that they won't hear
sings the song they always fear
those who once had held her dear
sings a song of loneliness
a song by now emotionless
she knows more than they may guess
and she leaps and flies away
hiding from the break of day
now a creature of the night
in the daytime she must hide
knowing not what she's become
ever hiding from the sun
thus her past becomes undone
in the empty night she cries
remembering when she had eyes
the time when she believed their lies
sitting 'neath an ancient tree
or walking lonely by the sea
for their dreams she now has need
every night she needs to feed
the days are spent in reverie
thoughts of how it used to be
shouting curses at the sun
hate is all that she's become
hating all humanity,
spreading the insanity
despising her reality
though ever blinded, she can see
tears running from what once was eyes
when ever and anon she cries
naked now beside the sea
forgetting all her history
singing clearly in the night
perhaps to keep away the fright
empty now she is, and rotten
sings of dreams now long forgotten
walking down the streets at night
strangers turning soon to flight
eyes burning with a ghastly light
she is the daughter of the sea
she is what they refuse to be
seaweed covering her hair
she is so frighteningly fair
she sold her soul to the sea
to live for an eternity
she shalt be forever free
the language of the sea she knows
and deep inside her darkness grows
spreading through her veins at haste
new souls she must ever taste
spreading the insanity
she feeds on their humanity
In the nights they lie awake
madness spreading like a plague
her crusade is now begun
all the world shall be undone
children keeping on the light
thinking: "Is it me tonight?"
of this plague she is the core
thirsting every night for more
"Mummy won't you lock the door?"
and Peter running home one night
saw a shadow in the light
and all his screaming was in vain
he died in agony and pain.
Her curséd army marshes forth
death is spreading through the north
the dread queen they do now obey
ever spreading her decay
and from the dead her minions rise
payment taken for their lies
insanity is in their eyes
Naalia, queen of the night
ever growing is thy might!
and the elders from the sea
shalt forever follow thee
just like thou they were forgotten
just like thou their minds grew rotten
a crusade is thus begun
she wishes to destroy the sun
there is nowhere left to run
holy war she now declares
on those who held her one of theirs
from the seas the ancients rise
now they shalt reclaim the skies
Naalia is now at war
with humans and the race of lore
but the elders don't forget
a thousand years spent in regret
a hate of men who took the sun
thus their vengeance is begun
The elders hadn't given thought
now deep in her webs they were caught
she met them first in guile of trust
then they were deceived by lust
and ere dawn she drank their souls
now they art amongst her ghouls
those that spreadeth her disease
ever do their ranks increase
her dreaded name is in the air
the plague is spreading everywhere
people dying in despair
and she holds them all to blame
now the world shalt be aflame
Canto II
Thus Naalia, this child so fair
With eyes so cold and long dark hair
Had gained the power to command
The ancients of the under-land
As of yet no one might say
What she would become one day
The darkest pact she now had made
With snakes of old who swore to aid
The queen in every way they might
She promised to restore the night
ere long, she said, all would be right
but yet the story must be told
of love, inflamed ere she grew cold
Her young and slender body clad
in raiment wet, in thoughts so sad
and her skin does still recall
her father's touch, her brutal fall
from ignorance, from innocence
deep in the dark, so lone, so tense
those things she could not understand
when he touched her with his hand
forced to obey his least command
in fear that he would one day smother
what had long since been her mother
memories that haunt her still
of the first whom she would kill
Late in the evening by the door
her body shaking, feet so sore
tears running down her fragile face
a fallen angel, full of grace
those boys in school, they hate her so
but why oh why? – she does not know
they beat her and they locked her up
and though she begged of them to stop
they simply laughed and ran away
into the streets of Faróqay
and left her there for all the day
until a young sweet boy came by
and helped her out and asked her why
And they met in sweet embrace
and she kissed his unspoiled face
then in his throat her teeth would sink
and slowly she would start to drink
before she had a chance to think
fate would it so that he would be
her very first discovery
that she had now complete control
of his body, of his soul
but Naalia chose to destroy
all proof that she had killed this boy
a lesson she was slowly learning:
sate that brutal, deepest yearning
The father in a raspy voice
Would say "I hope thou hath rejoiced
In those few hours without me
That brief time when thou art free"
And dutifully she replied,
Surprised how easily she lied
"my day at school was fine today
the teacher had a lot to say
of how the wondrous birds must fly
from north to south across the sky"
and thought, if only she were dead
she would not have to go to bed
and wait for what must not be said
Deep in a corner she would hide
as their teacher in her stride
threat'ningly would ask them all
if anything they could recall
and slap whoever could not say
how old was northern Faróqay
and one day Naalia had her fill
this woman should not break her will
though too powerful to kill
she might be broken otherwise
she could be destroy'd by lies
and ere long the woman broke
to Naalia, all was a joke
Naalia was often lonely
sometimes thinking, that if only
all these people dared to speak
she might in them some comfort seek
she tried most of the time to hide
that burning hunger deep inside
that often swept her like a tide
Azagal, her only friend
taught her how to comprehend
this ancient tongue that animals spake
thus she learned how to forsake
the townsfolk and their pitiful fates
ignoring all their masquerades
In her times of misery
her dolls would keep her company
one she had with curly hair
another with a face so fair
she hoped a dawn would come some day
when all the pain would go away
and she would no more have to stay
with her father that old beast
who in state of mind at least
was so utterly deranged
father, daughter, so estranged
never to him she would speak
she would in dolls her comfort seek
Often to herself she spake
with people, she no chance would take
for she learned soon not to trust
those that met her with disgust
or those that came because they must
it was a bitter lesson learned
you keep only what you've earned
often she would wander long
and sing a quiet, simple song
that told of all her agony
of all that they were not to see
though every now and then she'd smile
learning slowly to beguile
Naalia, that lonely child
whom others thought so cold and wild
might not something have been done
to make her not consume the sun?
that is, alas, by now too late
for Naalia will carve her fate
from all those souls that she's possessed
that never once her thoughts have guessed
she is so young, so sad, distressed
maybe she cannot comprehend
that everything might meet its end
ere to fruition comes her plan
to have control of every man
In those days so long ago
when no pain she yet would know
that time when she was still so young
long ere her tales were wrought in song
to many quite a mystery
she seemed to like her misery
and in class she oft excelled
not long ere she'd be expelled
they could not see why she rebelled
for this they could not understand
that she would not be led by hand
albeit her skills she oft displayed
and many instruments she played
Oft she'd be walking on her own
along the shores, so all alone
she listened to the birds at sea
who taught her, this is to be free
from pain, from fears and misery
and on the piers of Faróqay
she learned what birds might have to say
of smiling, laughing, dance and love
of sunshine falling from above
and lying in a bundled rope
sometimes she would even hope
that those birds might have understood
that all she asked, was something good
Like sun eclipsed were her dark eyes
like sweetest honey was her lies
from her lips they ever flowed
misery and pain they sowed
Naalia was very shy
albeit when people asked her why
she did not know what to reply
rather she would run away
until she found some place to stay
thinking of those things she feared
until they had disappeared
and slowly creeping out she came
half curious, yet bowed in shame
Canto III
Her armies now are marching forth
the plague is spreading through the north
and raised she has, a citadel
wherein she does her hunger quell
as slow disease consumes each town
and though the dread queen wears no crown
vast armies she does now command
who at but a wave of her hand
will give their lives in sacrifice
that all lands be consumed by ice
and ravens blackening the skies
fly forever north and south
to carry orders from her mouth
The ancients follow her as well
inside her castle now they dwell
they were broken at her hand
now they must heed her command
these beings half of man and snake
who for themselves it all would take
now they dwell within her lair
with all the horrors living there
their skin so cold and dark and fair
the ancients now must yield their lore
to the queen, who thirsts for more
in order that she lets them live
the queen knows not how to forgive
Thousands of peoples on the run
thunder clouds block out the sun
vast streams of creatures of the dark
all of them burnt with Naalias mark
in endless rivers pouring forth
from high and dark and frozen north
the foulest creatures known to man
obey a flicker of her hand
such horrors you can't understand
demons foul, half man, half beast
she ordereth them now to feast
on every man as yet alive
that her children grow and thrive
Cold frozen death embraced by some
those leaves that fall ere winter come
those red leaves frozen ere they fall
that willingly do heed her call
and many more by force were taken
rumours fly of these forsaken
woken by the setting sun
the dread queens horrors fully done
cold, mindless monsters they become
all dominated by her will
the night queen tells them whom to kill
and soon their selves are lost, forgotten
soon their minds are cold and rotten
her lands are desolate and cold
and strange, horrific things of old
come crawling from the darkest caves
as they concede to be her slaves
though in the south, resistance still
is found in people strong in will
but her mind is far ahead
of all their plans to see her dead
she them begins to infiltrate
a thousand creatures spreading hate
and in their minds she does create
a horror deep inside her foes
who fear her darkness as it grows
Red fires burning night and day
foul creatures born from mud and clay
unholy fires forging blades
of steel to slay all whom she hates
and shields that bear her hateful mark
and pointed spears and banners dark
and crooked-bladed cruel swords
are made to fit her growing hordes
of evil men and fouler things
soaring with angelic wings
they tear apart the northern skies
they have their mother's frozen eyes
and soon they start to spread her lies
Those broken men she does command
and demons roam across her land
children brought to sate her hunger
she prefers when they are younger
a child of age alike the queen
hangs from a chain with torn out spleen
deep in her dungeons damp and dark
are brought the children with her mark
she likes the best those younger males
that shudder when she tells the tales
of how the latest victim died
and all his yearnings he denied
consumed by hunger, still he lied
O Naalia, thou monster fair
with scabbéd wings and long dark hair
thine cloven tongue in poison soaked
thy nakedness in hatred cloaked
and from thine lips spill cruel lies
that split thine foes, that sever ties
among those men that would oppose
the maiden of the wilted rose
and deep inside thee malice grows
now overseas thine plague is carried
striking those who there had tarried
darkness spreads across the globe
it ends all joy and eats all hope
Queen Naalia she walks alone
Her wings conceal her heart of stone
Once, for a friend was all she longed
But thinking now how she's been wronged
Determined not to reconcile
So many people to defile
Naalia, what tragedy
What long forgotten mystery
Lies hidden in your history?
What hopes lie hidden in your thought
How many dreams have come to naught?
That tiny, damp, yet unseen tear
Soon brushed away in anguished fear
Fear that someone might realise
That 'neath those dark and frozen eyes
Lies a little girl that cries
Fear that someone might suddenly
Open your eyes and make you see
That though all life may end in fall
Young lady spring returns it all
The key is thrown away
You lock your doors while you decay
Behind this shell that used to be
So young, so laughing, glad and free
So happy, smiling, full of joy
But now just seeketh to destroy
That little girl, misunderstood
Who wanted naught but to be good
Naught but a beaten beast to some
Dear child, what is it you've become?
Naalia, what have you done?
In reverie alone she sat
When the teacher at her spat
She ran amid their cries of laughter
Fled the shame that follows after
Fleeing deep into the wood
Where at least she's understood
The animals, by some thought crude
They helped her in her solitude
In summer walking by the sea
So lost in silent reverie
With Azagal, her only friend
Who told her to be malcontent
With all the things done by her father
He told her that she should rather
Show him all that she could do
Then take a sword and run him through
Settle it once and for all
And flee what judgement might befall
"Nay, never will thee know," she said
"the madness in my fathers head
he won't be easily misled"
now her mother woke one morning
waddled down the stair, and yawning
saw upon the kitchen table
something which she was not able
to completely understand
her husband dead, unmoving, and
her daughter with a knife in hand
this boy's with her, whom she's never
seen before in all Threndever
she runs to her husbands side
Naalia in an angry stride
Turns round and leaves and slams the door
She's left her home forevermore
Canto IV
Thus Naalia her home has left
of family, of love bereft
her father dead within that place
still haunted by her mother's face
this young child so misunderstood
who wanted goodness, but she could
not bear the hate and fear she met
she refuses to regret
what she has done, for it is right
her dad deserved to die that night
those good things she has not enjoyed
all those lives she has destroyed
so twisted, cold and paranoid
Naalia she chose to flee
and seeking comfort by the sea
a voice she heard, and turned around
to see, by whom she had been found
Half snake, half man with greenish scale
It's lower body but a tail
it rose amid the roaring waves
and then it led her to the caves
for hours she is with the snake
it tells her stories by the lake
of how the snakekind had been wronged
by son of day, and how they longed
for what rightly to them belonged
Remembers when she was a child
they thought her to be cold and wild
for they would never once perceive
that it was they who wrought her grief
and they found her by the shore
when she was five or little more
to their homes she then was brought
and their tongue she then was taught
but never might they guess her thought
and she would walk alone all day
the other kids would run away
her mind by none was understood
and of her lies there came no good
now Naalia does choose to make
a pact with cloven tonguéd snake
that if they aid her by the shore
their former might she will restore
and they seal the pact in blood
with prayers to a heathen god
forth from the shadows now they slide
now, no longer must they hide
as Naalia awaits the tide
the moon is full, dark is the night
as Naalia in all her might
the town that once was home destroys
and all their terror she enjoys
into the night, bright flames do spring
as Naalia undoes everything
that ties her to that horrid past
which now she might escape at last
shrill cries resounding in the night
the screams of people taking flight
and cries of children deep in fear
corpses lying everywhere
the snakes of old slay everyone
intending to reclaim the sun
thus Naalias conquest is begun
clouds of smoke, flames everywhere
cold screams tearing apart the air
these snakes in blackened armour clad
will take all that is to be had
black blood spills unto the ground
as one by one, they all are found
the snakes heed not the mothers pleas
for they are cold just like the seas
from whence they come, these ancient snakes
they will do everything it takes
once more to claim what once was theirs,
and take land from unworthy heirs
and Naalia makes use of their hate
to take control of her own fate
as yet her hatred won't abate
still she lingers in that place
where everyone would shun her face
the villagers ere dawn had fled
as Naalia the ancients led
to undo bone and shatter heart
she will tear them all apart
for now it has become her fate
that hunger she must ever sate
their cottages are set aflame
the dread queen holds them all to blame
nothing now remains the same
and in glee she does rejoice
in every life that she destroys
Naalia, where do you hide?
and where do you await the tide?
how do you now survive the cold
and all the nightmares that unfold
deep in the chasms of your mind?
Seeming so gentle, seeming kind
enslaved you have ten thousand more
the ancients dwelling by the shore
have given eagerly their lore
fleeing beaten from the fields
yet another army yields
marching forth, your troops advance
claiming all these broken lands
though once broken she might be
the ancients came and set her free
millions now she does command
the foulest things obey her hand
and this queen of but eighteen springs
ghouls she commands and fouler things
obey her whim and does her will
slaying whom she says to kill
by foul insects her plague is spread
her army strengthened by the dead
and all those souls she has misled
this broken child that once was free
she has forgotten how to see
thou maiden of the wilted rose
out of the north thine army flows
moving like a thousand floods
thou art the fury of the Gods
O maiden of eternal night
your many forces set alight
the towns through which they pass at will
the ancients, they intend to kill
all those that haven't fallen ill
of your disease spread by the flies
he who's afflicted, oh he dies
not, he is now controlled by thee
never more he shalt be free
Scabbéd wingéd maiden fair
With eyes like stars and long dark hair
And jewels of the rarest kind
That you have had your minions find
Are brought to you from far away
From Threndever and Faróqay
Foul demons doing all you say
Reside within this land of old
That thou hath taken from the folk
That once within them would reside
Naalia, mistress of the tide
Within your castle now you wait
you took control of your own fate
a relic lost, an ancient stone
hidden in the mountain bone
of this old land that she has claimed
tortured, broken, cold and maimed
tales travel far of this old knife
that would bestow unending life
to whomsoever wielded it
now deep in some forgotten pit
it lies, awaits a master who
would seek the power to undo
old lady fate herself and shatter
every bond and break and batter
everything that seems to matter
an entourage she now assembles
every living creature trembles
as this ghastly company
sets forth to alter history
they travel many nights and days
by old and now forgotten ways
in to the mountains harsh and cold
where lives a noble race of old
so fair and noble to behold
these high and cold and frozen peaks
that hide the thing which Naalia seeks
an ancient stone of powers great
that she may control her fate
Canto V
Heaps of snow are everywhere
in this high place, cold is the air
tall pointed rocks, fangs of the cliff
she walks among them, cold and stiff
thunder clouds are drawing near
Naalia looks at them in fear
soon this tempest will arrive
she knows she must flee to survive
through the blizzard she must strive
she passes round another turn
her hands are cold, her feet they burn
a little cave she comes upon
wherein she may hide from the sun
They travel now for many days
by ancient and forgotten ways
and thunderclouds are moving nigh
they will assault these mountains high
Naalia flees into the caves
and cut off from her many slaves
to go on is her only choice
guided, by but hand and voice
she moves further through this void
each sound making her paranoid
tries to recall what she enjoyed
in order that her mind may flee
from her grim reality
Deep into these caverns old
where things forgotten, rivers cold
and stranger things than these are found
these caverns of the underground
where long forgotten monsters hide
in deepest caverns they abide
Naalia now has to go
having passed through storms of snow
the thing which she does hope to find
is but a girl, young, fair and kind
and lonely and remembered not
but Naalia learned how folk forgot
this child and what she would become
forgot, and dreaded yet by some
A whisper strange, that here rebounds
in these deep caverns – figment sounds
spring out of every passageway
knowing that she can't delay
and that she must not loose her way
she runs and runs into the deep
here silence rules, and she must keep
the rules unspoken, that apply
in this place, hidden from the sky
ere long she finds a chamber vast
and she halts, for now at last
she may be safe in this cold place
she walks, her heart it beats apace
For long she walks deep underground
through this strange place that she has found
through vast halls, past rivers cold
the bowels of these mountains old
Naalia does now explore
like few have ever done before
dark rivers flowing through this place
a memory that here decays
of those by now forgotten ways
of the folk that here would dwell
their history, these mountains tell
how long ago they were destroyed
by the power they enjoyed
She travels on for days and days
through narrow holes, by ancient ways
through these bowels of the earth
that so long ago gave birth
to people gone, to ancient ways
of those that lived in long gone days
these caverns they do now lament
they are an ancient testament
to people that would long since be
beneath this ancient canopy
but Naalia is not aware
of what great things transpired here
she is alone, distraught with fear
For days on end she wanders deep
in this place, that would secrets keep
long since forgot what here begun
by those that live beneath the sun
a cavern of far greater size
than any she has yet laid eyes
upon, the dread queen now does enter
with an island in the centre
of these waters deep and cold
in this place did men of old
worship gods so long ago
beneath these mountains clad in snow
where their society would grow
Naalia, queen so cold and fair
you know not why you wander here
everything you have forsaken
that the sleeper may awaken
on you crawl, though cold and shaken
now all alone you are in here
the mountain speaks your deepest fear
not a single soul might guess
what you fear most is loneliness
and in your mind still something hides
forever there, this thing resides
and though your father now is dead
still the darkness you do dread
This image still within your mind
of your father cold and kind
he did something which he should
have left undone but still he could
not manage, himself to restrain
and thus he caused you too much pain
dark water fills the cavern, thee
now walketh into as thou see
an island rising in the centre
of the place, that now you enter
something you have not been told
lies hidden in these caverns old
a treasure worth much more than gold
Now on a bare and bulky stone
sits a little girl alone
as soon as Naalia, she descries
the little girl jumps up and cries:
"The thing you seek, you know it not
but I have time to sit and rot
like I have done for many years
now void of feelings, void of tears
- what is it then, can you explain
what it is, I here might gain?
what is it, that does here remain?
the queen replied, and then the child
broke into a laughter wild
"Why should I lend my aid to thee
Naalia, mistress of the sea?
what is here for me to gain
That my work shalt not be in vain?"
and soon, the dread queen does reply
"to Thee, Menai, I shalt not lie
I will show you, what for long
you have not seen, but only sung
in cold lament, in this dark place
let me take you to the face
of this place, where you chose to hide
these caverns where you do abide
My lady, I lend thee my aid
no longer will I be afraid
of sun so bright and wicked day
mistress, lead me on the way"
the girl replies, and then she stands
holding out her small white hands
and Naalia leads her from that place
where for so long she hid her face
now Naalia asks, half lost in thought:
"what then is the thing I sought?
- My lady, it is me you seek
please think not that I am weak
please be the vengeance of the freak"
Thus Naalia findeth what she did
not know was in the mountains hid
the slender child is young and fair
with blue-green eyes and long white hair
she is a thing of powers great
like Naalia, always met with hate
a vortex Menai is, of power
that would make a strong man cower
of magic flowing everywhere
she is a centre and they fear
her uncontrolléd powers great
and thus the child was met with hate
that over time did not abate
Canto VI
In the cargo hold she hid
inside a barrel with a lid
her thirst a problem ever growing
for the crew must not be knowing
that within the cargo hold
lies Naalia, the dread queen cold
Naalia stealing as she might
in the middle of the night
once the men put out the light
blood of rats she has to drink
for the sailors mustn't think
that in the port of Faróqay
the ship picked up a stowaway
She steals out to feed at night
rats are all that she can bite
the child Menai, the queen has brought
that young fair thing which she had sought
for days and weeks at sea they are
the sailors track the northern star
and seagulls follow from afar
they come to strange and unknown places
foreign people, foreign faces
creatures strange, they do descry
that most would think were but a lie
birds with two heads, and stranger still
are cats that vanish ere they kill
Who are you Menai, young and cold
long hidden in those caverns old
though a mere child you may seem
broken, without self esteem
inside you're hiding so much more
than even the wise man foresaw
who drove you from your home of old
to live high in the mountains cold
eyes fair like stars you do possess
and not a soul would ever guess
at what you are about to be
what becomes your destiny
the darkness in you will be free
With high black cliffs, the waves collide
where cruel birds of prey reside
for days on end the ship does sail
and ever and anon the wail
of ancient creatures of the deep
does wake the sailors in their sleep
mother sea is unforgiving
keeps the dead and claims the living
though they note their dwindling store
the captain speaks of ancient lore
that he who prays shalt earn much more
that it is told in history
the Gods reward your piety
Carathim follow secretly
to make sure that their queen shalt be
kept safe while she is on the sea
the northern coast they have to track
the deepest sea so cold and black
they cannot cross, for it is told
that ancient creatures huge and cold
monsters out of stories old
dwell beneath these freezing waves
pulling sailors to their graves
where, forever broken slaves
of creatures strange, they come to be
broken, lost, and never free
For many days they travel on
at last the crew have now begun
to fear what claims their lives at night
the sailors are distraught with fright
and though the captain tries to ease
their minds, the sailors will not cease
to think that ancient ghosts are there
to slay them and feed on their fear
the captain feels the tension rise
he sees the terror in their eyes
and though at night they all do pray
the evil does not go away
Naalia intends to stay
The sailors speak of mutiny
for though, in careful scrutiny
the captain's given much of thought
yet no solution has he brought
to that which haunts the ship at night
as soon as they turn out the light
for days no land has been in sight
and terrors haunt the men at sea
for from the dawn of history
an ancient tale has been retold
of creatures strange from days of old
that would drive a good man mad
and make him loose all he has had
Tales of sirens, who by song
would make a man forever long
to stay no more at high cold sea
that only place where you are free
many are the terrors old
that live at sea, so deep and cold
and many sailors still do find
that stranger still is what the mind
can do to people who are blind
from superstitious whisperings
and fairy tales of cruel things
that would bring your life to end
unless you pray and then repent
Among themselves, the crew do speak
the captain, they find old and weak
for though he prays at night so late
still the killings don't abate
and ere the break of dawn a scream
wakes the captain from his dream
and dangling from a crooked hook
they find the body of the cook
and ancient scriptures, holy writ
cannot make these killings fit
to ancient tales or make them cease
slowly terror does increase
their terror does the dread queen please
Now terror does inflame their eyes
"perhaps another sacrifice
will please whatever demon old
of this good ship has taken hold"
the captain draws an ancient sword
and then he rises like a lord
"Me, ye dogs, ye shall not slay
now sheath yer steel, and back away!"
cold silence fall between them all
ere the sailors heed his call
for without him, they know they'll fall
but still the horror does remain
slowly it drives them insane
Now from below the dread queen flies
a strange blue fire sears their eyes
she spreads her wings and screaming she's
slaying everyone she sees
she rips them open, she destroys
whichever hope these men enjoys
the men lie slaughtered everywhere
except for those who leapt in fear
into the sea so deep and cold
where many died ere they grew old
now standing on that deck alone
her ancient song she does intone
that freezes all men to the bone
Now far out on the northern sea
the dread queen stands alone and free
with Menai standing at her side
she waits the coming of the tide
and waves like none have ever seen
rise at the bidding of the queen
and mother sea in all her might
shall bring the dread queen of the night
to new shores, and her children vile
shalt have new people to defile
and birds are screaming shrill and clear
a harbinger of deepest fear
of death that's slowly drawing near
Thus the ship sails into port
with but two living souls aboard
and nearly twenty bodies lie
unmoving, staring at the sky
Naalia, once thought cold and wild
departs the ship with this young child
they leave the ship, where men decay
from home they've come, to far away
the shining jewel Aranaë
now Naalia does draw a mark
of evil magic, old and dark
the child Menai begins to scream
a flood of fire starts to stream
Canto VII
Demons foul now do spring forth
summoned from the frozen north
screams of horror fill the night
as the dread queen in her might
commands her forces to attack
all those who sought to hold her back
all of the town is broken soon
as she who walks beneath the moon
unleasheth those at her command
and in her way no one can stand
fires burning everywhere
people flee, distraught with fear
the moon is full, the skies are clear
Thus begins her greatest war
her armies claim the northern shore
of Calaghin, that ancient land
against her might no one can stand
the towns now burn along the shore
and from the north she's bringing more
of creatures dark, but southern kings
seek to destroy those horrid things
that the dread queen has set loose
wisely now they have to choose
their vengeance now the ancients take
they come, and they intend to wreak
destruction, death is in their wake
Black smoke rising in the air
corpses lying everywhere
screaming people try to flee
from the dread queen of the sea
her forces she does now assemble
on their high thrones kings now tremble
the queen shows naught but contempt
for those weak kings who would attempt
to foil the queen and thwart her plans
to take control of southern lands
people slaughtered here and there
many, overcome by fear
do flee, the dead lie everywhere
Darkness spreading from the north
wingéd demons marching forth
thunderclouds are drawing near
people slaughtered everywhere
as now the realm of Evermere
assailed by creatures foul does fall
Naalia will slaughter all
who would attempt to foil her schemes
to rule all men and eat their dreams
hope extinguished, memories
of ere the people of the seas
would rise to undo everything
for Naalia, who still does sing
Naalia, maiden cold and fair
with cold dark eyes and long black hair
fairer still than stars so bright
Naalia, mistress of the night
within her heart the darkness reigns
she neither loves nor cares, she feigns
affection, you can never tell
when she will make your life a hell
your heart so cold, your mind contorted
everything you see distorted
by those words that flood your mind
thou art so evil, cold and blind
thou art so utterly unkind
A new crusade is thus begun
the southern kingdoms overrun
thunderclouds block out the sun
thus Naalia does bring her war
her legions claim the northern shore
and black and hellish industry
shalt help her alter history
great battles in the fields are fought
but Naalia has given thought
to everything, she knows her foe
and now she cometh, bringing woe
and anyone who does resist
is smitten by her iron fist
At last her armies stand before
the gates of old Peledrinnor
and huge machines of vile design
shalt help her make the town resign
as bolts of fire break the wall
in numbers great, the soldiers fall
and flaming trenches by the gate
shalt help her seal the city's fate
and the streets are filled with screams
of terror in this worst of dreams
and evil monsters fill the skies
and even now her cruel lies
do undo bonds and shatter ties
And manifold are all the crimes
committed in these darkest times
as the will of men does fail
and fighting seems to no avail
everywhere she does prevail
queen Naalia in all her might
intends to bring eternal night
she is the dark that eats all light
to those who sought to end her reign
and unto those who sought to feign
allegiance, she does bring a pain
as great as any ever known
to man, it goes through flesh and bone
In the end the gates are broken
people see this as a token
that at last now, all is lost
and all shall be engulfed by frost
that now they have to pay the cost
for daring to defy the queen
who reigns of things vile and unseen
thus servitude they now do swear
though it's done mostly out of fear
thus her numbers do increase
and her assault she will not cease
against the south her force is led
and in the north new things are bred
Creatures vile as any known
to man, now wander on their own
in lands that once were fair and free
but now have been brought on their knee
and sunlight does begin to fail
as the dread queen casts her veil
on this defeated, broken land
that in the end alone would stand
against her might without a chance
to stop her spear, to break her lance
thus yet another land does fail
resistance seems to no avail
as everywhere, she does prevail
Naalia, so cold and fair
your name is spoken everywhere
as like a tidal wave so cold
you do send forth the snakes of old
the ancients do know magic still
to alter thought and shatter will
much thought lost they still recall
from that time ere you wrought their fall
once noble, Carathim would be
but they forgot soon how to see
and thus they are no longer free
and that is how, by lust unspoken
in the end the snakes were broken
Menai still is with the queen
and powers as of yet unseen
she does unleash upon her foes
the maiden of the wilted rose
she that does not know of love
her wicked creatures soar above
these lands caught in perpetual night
her creatures are a horrid sight
that does drive many men insane
and all resistance is in vain
terror reigning everywhere
and many people do not dare
they flee while looking to the air
A lonely girl does lie in bed
she cries, her parents do lie dead
she cannot make a single sound
or by the snakes she will be found
she is so cold. alone and scared
deprived of those, for whom she cared
and the poor and young girl's scream
resounds in this night that would seem
to never end, and everything
does fall, to she who still does sing
her songs so vile and spreads her lies
coldest death is in her eyes
her sons do fill the blackened skies
Canto VIII
O Naalia, thou child so fair
with silken black and knee long hair
so frail you seem, and yet within
a hatred grows, of all your kin
an image of the Gods of old
so unforgiving, cruel, cold
is the smile upon your face
as you do laugh within that place
your heart so frozen, eyes ablaze
within these cold, forsaken halls
your laughter sweet like water falls
such innocence, what could destroy
such happiness, such wondrous joy?
When still she was a child and fair
she'd hear the birdsong in the air
and though she hated it at school
she would be subject to their rule
rather than at home to stay
and if she could, she'd run away
into the streets of Faróqay
and she'd go swimming in the sea
down by the shore, completely free
from those who judged her far too soon
she loved to gaze upon the moon
and hear the birds who oft would sing
that " yes, you can do anything".
Red flowers covering the lawn
as Naalia in early dawn
in wet dew covered grass she lay
and listened as the break of day
would chase the last vestige of night
and soon the birds would take to flight
and greet the coming of the light
and she would laugh in solitude
out here where she might exclude
the terror that went on inside
where often she would have to hide
beneath the stairs for hours long
lest her father do her wrong
A dress she had, red as the sun
just ere it sets, and she would run
into the fields just north of town
where she'd give up herself and drown
deep within that vast sea of corn
so golden-red in early morn
and she would laugh and dance and run
watching, as the day begun
and slowly everything awoke
and from the houses thick dark smoke
would rise from chimneys manifold
upon those rooftops painted gold
in early morning, young and cold
Though friends were something she had not
she treasured things that most forgot
she painted pictures manifold
they were so wondrous to behold
she painted anything she'd see
a house, a rock, a wrinkled tree
with thick strong roots and branches green
and things so wondrous to be seen
though at the reasons none could guess
she seemed to like her loneliness
and Naalia with that long black hair
she sang a song so cold and fair
her music weaving through the air
And often with the birds she spake
in solitude, down by the lake
leaning back against a tree
beneath that dark, green canopy
so alone, so fair, so free
and in the woods for hours long
she'd walk alone and sing her song
as winter swept across the land
the summer was retreating and
the naked branches bony, cold
the land so dismal to behold
white specks of snow lie everywhere
cold and biting is the air
Down by the river she would lie
she dreamt, if only she could fly
staring at the azure sky
so clear without a cloud in sight
the sun so golden, shining bright
then some young kid would wander by
and she would run and hide, so shy
for many times now, she'd been taught
that other children wish her naught
but sorrow, pain and misery
she'd learned that throughout history
man has been wont to fear what he
can't understand, or fails to see
Yet solitude was everywhere,
looming, stirring up the air
thus long ago the seeds were sown
for what has ever since been known
to be the thing that she fears most
that poltergeist, that ancient ghost
of what none other were to know
atrocities done long ago
that deep within her soul would grow
that fear of loneliness, so deep
that ever more it's hold would keep
of this poor child, so young and fair
with eyes like suns and silken hair
And a million dolls she had
some were smiling, some were sad
some she had with dresses fair
some she had with curly hair
and if you wound them up, they'd speak
some were of porcelain and weak
yet others now, were made of wood
one had a golden gilded hood
one she had that missed an eye
and looked as though it tried to cry
a smile upon it's lips, so shy
and Naalia saw it as a token
like herself, the doll was broken
at morning, ere the break of day
she would pick up her harp and play
and melodies and tunes so fair
would start to wander through the air
and then her mother would come down
dressed in her white morning gown
and for her husband she would make
bread, scrambled eggs, and honey cake
the two would dine in silent bliss
no sign of all that was amiss
in that unhappy family
so torn by pain and misery
caught in the husband's tyranny
And ere dawn she'd leave for school
the day still young, the old town's fool
would stop and greet her on her way
through the old streets of Faróqay
so early, ere the break of day
ere long at school, she would arrive
here she knew she'd have to strive
not to be noticed by the teacher
lest a fury great, should reach her
in the back she'd sit and wait
wondering, what was her fate
and when the bell rang high at noon
she'd go home, but not too soon
One late night her mother said
just ere she were put to bed
"our child, young one, you're not
you were abandoned and forgot
love, it seems, was not your lot
we keep you, not to earn disgrace
but you're not wanted in this place"
Naalia was deeply hurt
the mother left without a word
and though at first, she would not weep
Naalia cried herself to sleep
she wanted, just to run away
but had no other place to stay
Now the story has been told
of what befell ere she grew cold
yet other tales do still remain
of sorrow, misery and pain
now hearken, heed this tale so dark
of how the queen would leave her mark
feared by many, cold and vile
she knew well how to beguile
she had so much left to defile
claimed she had, the frozen north
from whence her minions foul sprang forth
a tidal wave to slaughter all
who would not heed the dread queen's call
Canto IX
Menai feared for the young queen
She feared that something yet unseen
Might cause her to loose everything
like Caranthor where men still sing
how he fell to the puppet king
The threat posed by the ancient snakes
still lurking by the many lakes
was something Naalia failed to see
but Menai knew they would not be
just coexisting peacefully
she knew the snakes would still be scheming
even though there might be seeming
peace, of vengeance they were dreaming
Screams of horror greet the day
the acrid, thick stench of decay
does cast it's veil upon the land
as it falls at the dread queen's hand
dark are the clouds and threatening
her minions slaughter everything
and everyone that cross their path
destruction is the aftermath
of this path that the queen has chosen
she is dreadful, fair and frozen
thus the dread queen carved her fate
so cold and dark and full of hate
her tempest will not yet abate
The child Menai, she saw in fear
how the young queen, whom she held dear
had set upon this path of hate
she feared that it would seal her fate
but Menai knew not what to say
to sway the queen to turn away
from this path she had set upon
those things the dread queen had begun
young Menai had to stay away
and watch her queen start to decay
and as the days grew cold and grey
young Menai thought, if only she
could change Naalias destiny
The southern lands were now enslaved
many men dead or depraved
the queens plague now had taken hold
the northern shores grew bare and cold
her prisoners would beg to die
but this request she would deny
she'd torture them 'till naught was left
of sanity they'd be bereft
the queen took pleasure in this game
she broke them with fear, sin and shame
soon everyone would dread her name
she'd take hold of their destiny
destroy all that they used to be
In vast halls built by slaves, of stone
the Dread queen sits upon her throne
her slenderness draped all in black
she is dreaded for her lack
of feelings and of sympathy
her thoughts a hidden mystery
her halls patrolled by Carathim
these snake-like folk, so cold and grim
and now and then the screams resound
from the great dungeons underground
the dread queens evil so profound
and still her forces wage her war
still the dread queen thirsts for more
In shadows hid, Menai descried
how Naalia sometimes cried
she feared the queen would loose much more
in waging this unholy war
than Naalia could understand
the ancients of the under land
their cloven tongues spake cloven words
and when the queen had left they cursed
her name, and spoke low words of hate
how they might seek to change their fate
and Menai heard them speak dissention
words of hate she heard them mention
when outside the queens attention
Naalia, so fair and cold
for centuries her tale was told
of all the things that she destroyed
so young, distraught and paranoid
her tale retold by many sages
her war echoed through the ages
this girl who sought to destroy
all hope, and end all love and joy
so cold and fair, yet young and coy
in but few years, she altered all
she brought her war and wrought the fall
of kingdoms that for many years
had been complacent, without fears
But Menai saw her slow descent
from love, to hate and malcontent
for the future she would fear
that she might loose her queen so dear
not to death, disease or fate,
but to her ever growing hate
and late at night, Menai could see
how Naalia slowly ceased to be
herself, so lost upon that sea
of lies, concocted by the snakes
their evil deeper than the lakes
from whence they came in days long gone
long ere the bright and shining sun
Black smoke rises everywhere
so thick you cannot breathe the air
Carathim they come to slaughter
any who oppose the daughter
of the everlasting night
that now has fallen, no more light
is seen at dawn, instead a haze
falls on these old towns still ablaze
the screams of those who have not fled
resounds, as they do join the dead
now black ships carry many more
of Naalia's demons to the shore
the people know not what's in store
But still the child Menai could see
the queen was caught in misery
her war was nothing but a shell
so that no man could ever tell
that she was but a child so broken
all those secrets never spoken
never would she yield a token
that beneath her masquerade
what she once were, began to fade
often now the queen would stay
inside, where her will could decay
from all the lies that Carathim
would plant, that she would do their whim
Those eyes long since bereft of life
a man lies dead next to his wife
the grass is blackened by his blood
a plea to an unheeding god
were his last words before he died
his dead wife, what he last descried
their house in ruins, smoke does rise
does reach those unforgiving skies
Carathim soldiers everywhere
and reeking death is in the air
old women, children do lie slain
they tried to flee, albeit in vain
slow death they suffered, full of pain
Menai saw Naalia's will decay
it withering would fade away
Naalia fled into her hate
this, it seems, would be her fate
her war begun, her mind was set
not to forgive, nor to forget
the dread queen swore not to regret
all the destruction she'd begun
the path, which she had set upon
the snakes, these vessels of her will
at her word they were sworn to kill
and Menai feared that her dear queen
would loose herself to things unseen
Thick smoke darkening the skies
ever now Naalias lies
do grow like fetuses of fear
everything does seem unclear
towns in ruins everywhere
and all things green have ceased to grow
in people's eyes, their fear does show
a hand unmoving, still does try
to reach the unforgiving sky
a terror deep, still carved upon
a face, that still does seem to shun
the horror that caused her to die
amid the ruins, her corpse does lie
Canto X
In a chamber near the throne
wondering, and all alone
Menai sat upon the bed
so late at night, she hid her head
she felt a growing sense of dread
a pattern she saw, not yet quite
revealed to her, though all this night
she'd sat there lonely, wondering
what did she feel? What was this thing?
she saw that Naalia was descending
into hatred never ending
then she ran into the room
where Naalia dwelt in constant gloom
"Naalia, I beg of thee
please use thine eyes and try to see
- see what, Menai? But fear or hate
they are deserving of their fate!
- won't you please, your anger stay?
There has to be some other way!
- it is too late, it has begun
this darkness shalt consume the sun
- no it's not, it's not too late
you can abandon all this hate
this does not have to be your fate
please turn back from this dreadful way
it leads to nothing but decay!
Menai, I will do what I must
humans, them you cannot trust
- what does that mean? Oh now I see
you do not even trust in me
- Menai, you're something far more fair
than any curséd, earthly heir
- your parents may have done you wrong
like many times you now have sung
but that's no reason to destroy
all that was fair, and have no joy
- yes indeed, it does seem sad
that mankind has decayed, gone bad
as anything I've ever known
a new crop now has to be sown
But you're wrong, still there is hope
mankind has to learn to cope
with all the hate they have inside,
all the fears they try to hide
you must turn back, my dearest queen
I fear for you, for I have seen
what the future holds in store
you shalt fall forever more
- leave those humans to decay
Menai, it is the only way
I have to destroy the sun
mankind has to be undone
you know yourself, what they've become
They may be broken, lost, but still
some do exist, with strength of will
Naalia, I hold you dear,
my queen, it is for you I fear
- Menai my dear, I can't be hurt
Carathim still obey my word
- but there's something you don't see
I hear them speak of treachery
- long ago, I broke their will
they have not the strength to kill
without my word, they lack the skill
- Naalia, their will is strong
I merely fear that you are wrong
- Mistaken, that I cannot be
Menai my dear, you have to see
man is condemned to decay
my dear, this is the only way
listen, clearly you must see
this is the way things have to be
it is my fate to seize the sun
all good things have to be undone
- Naalia, please don't decay
there has to be some other way
there are other shades than grey
the birds are fair, and still they sing
you mustn't undo everything
- For ages now the birds have sung
seeing not what has gone wrong
ignorant, they seem to be
of pain and hate and misery
they do not seem to realize
man has destroyed himself by lies
birds know not of fear and hate
they seem to fly away from fate
but humans are not born with wings
they have to face the horrid things
that lady fate does hold in store
they can't just flee forevermore
speak not to me of the birds' lore
Of what then should I speak, my queen?
I try to tell you what I've seen
Naalia, you have to see
the snakes don't want you to be free
- you are mistaken, dear Menai
the snakes hate humans just as I
they want to reclaim the sky
- no my queen, it is not so
trust me, for I have come to know
- I am not capable of trust
Menai, I will do what I must
- my queen, please use your eyes and see
this is not who you used to be
True words you speak Menai, I'm not
that broken girl, so soon forgot
by what should be my family
now I am powerful and free
more so, than any who before
spent years lost deep in ancient lore
whatever fate does hold in store
I fear it not, quite unlike some
who hide from what they would become
this fate for years was in the making
now it's ours for the taking
my fate now is to be decay
it is too late to turn away"
Thus Naalia dismissed Menai
who ran, ere she began to cry
now once again, the queen consorted
with those snakes, by hate contorted
they taught her the ways of old
they filled her mind with fears untold
and soon the Dread queen would decree
that none, who wanted to be free
should speak of what she used to be
"the child that was within", she said
"is gone, it's withered, lost and dead
my future is the hate I sing
and the despair, that I do bring"
With Azagal she counseled still
when in doubt of her own will
"this war" he said, "has to be fought
or everything will come to naught"
and thus at last her war was brought
upon the lands far to the east
who prayed to an unholy beast
primitives that lived in caves
she sought to make them all her slaves
they resided in high places
dark skinned folk with painted faces
soon the forests were on fire
and the threat they faced was dire
And the war does not abate
now the queen does concentrate
on those lands that would still defy
her reign of terror, and deny
the might, that in her grasp does lie
and wild men with painted faces
she enlists in stranger places
than the queen has seen as yet
and Naalia does not forget
defiance, nor does she desist
her mind is shrouded in a mist
concocted by the Carathim
ever her sight grows more dim
Thus the dread queen would deny
the warning from the child Menai
but from her youth, those memories still
did haunt her, and they made her ill
threatening to break her will
of days when she was not yet cold
a darker tale must now be told
and also of, how by the shore
one day she met the folk of lore
her mother was a broken thing
of whom the minstrels still do sing
that had she just been strong of mind
the queen might not have been so blind
Canto XI
O Naalia, so wild, so fair
who still does sing in freezing air
so frail your dreams, so cold your skin
your creatures grow, war does begin
an image of the Gods so cold
you're unforgiving, fears untold
did freeze the smile once on your face
your heart so broken, beats apace
within these old and shaken walls
your laughter cold, it still recalls
the innocence you did destroy
the happiness you did enjoy
When she was young, and still did care
this fair young girl, with long black hair
she tried hard to escape her school
with those old teachers, all were cruel
rather she would spend the day
out in the woods and far away
although the skies were cold and gray
out in the woods, where none could see
she would be completely free
and she would gaze upon the moon
and wish change would be coming soon
she'd hear the birds, and they would sing
"yea, thou shalt undo everything"
White snow covering the lawn
as an early winter dawn
would herald the death and decay
that comes when winter goes away
and soon the last vestige of light
was yielding to the coming night
as winter came, in all his might
and she would cry in solitude
among the trees, now naked, crude
for in none she could confide
the terrors that she had to hide
she sang a quiet, lonely song
of all the things they had done wrong
A dress she had, dark as the night
Just after you put out the light
and sometimes, she would wish to drown
in that cold river north of town
sometimes, she would feel so torn
when she was met with naught but scorn
and she would scream and she would run
from that bright cruel, yellow sun
that sat there watching, as she broke
not even darkness for a cloak
so young and lonely, sad and cold
a frozen beauty to behold
The child was lonely and forgot
and ere long, she'd start to rot
she painted pictures dark and cold
of monsters and strange things of old
and pictures of the stormy sea
and things that now had ceased to be
and horrors none had ever seen
a picture of the fairest queen
in art, the child seemed to confess
that deep inside, she was a mess
she was afraid, she did not dare
to open up, to love and care
this broken child, so young and fair
And often she would lie awake
in darkness, trying not to break
she hid the things they should not see
seeking only, to be free
to flee her state of misery
and in the woods for hours long
she'd sit and cry, how she did long
for someone who could understand
why she was strange, and take her hand
and keep her warm when she grew cold,
say what she needed, to be told
her fears were with her everywhere
dismal horrors in the air
Down by the river she would cry
she wished, if only she would die
so sick and tired of their lie
of all those kids who took to flight
as soon as she came into sight
sometimes she wished that she could fly
into the cold, clear northern sky
so cold and lonely, and distraught
all of her hopes had come to naught
she thought, if she could make them see
perhaps at last she could be free
from sorrow, pain and misery
who always kept her company
She wished that anyone would care
wished for a friend, with whom to share
the fears that for so long she'd known
the terror, that inside had grown
those fears, of which she was the host
they strove to torture her the most
that fear inside, that wicked crow
a torture great, that none would know
that deep inside her heart did grow
that tortured this young girl in sleep
and when alone, the child would weep
atrocities that still do scare
this broken girl, so young and fair
And a million dolls she had
they tortured her, they drove her mad
some had black eyes, curly hair
those broken things did always scare
but still the child, would in them seek
some comfort when she felt so weak
and lonely and misunderstood
inside she knew, that she was good
this poor young girl, so fair and shy
she was succumbing to the lie
that others spake, to make her cry
and in her heart, so fair, though broken
she did keep her fears unspoken
And mourning, she would go away
when she felt too afraid to stay
and hum a melody so fair
the frailest song full of despair
she thought, if only she could drown
in that cold river north of town
she would no longer have to fake
a love, to those who sought to break
her will, and with a single kiss
her father shattered all her bliss
her tale a horrid tragedy
that none but she could ever see
caught in eternal misery
At morning she would leave for school
where many teachers old and cruel
did quethe "I care not what you say
for ours is the only way
now hold thy tongue, if thou wilt stay"
the classroom an unruly hive
Naalia would always strive
to stay in favour of the teacher
lest a fury should besiege her
oft the children had to wait
the teacher's fury to abate
"if there's a man inside the moon"
She thought, "he won't come here too soon"
One night as she lay in bed
Carathim came, and they her led
down to the lake, where things did rot
they told her it should be her lot
to be their fair queen, aging not
the young girl, with a godlike grace
did bow, and said, "I'll take my place"
- my queen", they said, "you have our word
we'll teach them pain and make them hurt"
and knowing that they would her keep
the young girl fell in dreamless sleep
she spake with those, who all would slay
and thus began her slow decay
Now her tale did soon unfold
ere long the queen was growing cold
however, she does still retain
a shred of love, that does remain
and the dread queen would embark
upon a path so cold and dark
of how the queen would cease to smile
this girl so fair, cold and fragile
she soon would learn how to beguile
her castle built in frozen north
her path was chosen, and henceforth
all that was left, a horrid fall
from everything to naught at all
Canto X
In a chamber near the throne
wondering, and all alone
Menai sat upon the bed
so late at night, she hid her head
she felt a growing sense of dread
a pattern she saw, not yet quite
revealed to her, though all this night
she'd sat there lonely, wondering
what did she feel? What was this thing?
she saw that Naalia was descending
into hatred never ending
then she ran into the room
where Naalia dwelt in constant gloom
"Naalia, I beg of thee
please use thine eyes and try to see
- see what, Menai? But fear or hate
they are deserving of their fate!
- won't you please, your anger stay?
There has to be some other way!
- it is too late, it has begun
this darkness shalt consume the sun
- no it's not, it's not too late
you can abandon all this hate
this does not have to be your fate
please turn back from this dreadful way
it leads to nothing but decay!
Menai, I will do what I must
humans, them you cannot trust
- what does that mean? Oh now I see
you do not even trust in me
- Menai, you're something far more fair
than any curséd, earthly heir
- your parents may have done you wrong
like many times you now have sung
but that's no reason to destroy
all that was fair, and have no joy
- yes indeed, it does seem sad
that mankind has decayed, gone bad
as anything I've ever known
a new crop now has to be so
Poetry by Lalando
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Written on 2006-04-11 at 14:42
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The lay of Azagal the Sinister and The lay of Naalia will be two parts of a trinity, the third being The lay of Curun, which is at a very early stage
The Lay of Naalia, Canto I - XI
The Lay of Naalia(The tragedy of the Dread queen)
Canto I
Muse of the Gods, I thee implore
help me recall this ancient lore
help me, this ancient tale to tell
of Naalia and how she fell
of how the ancients gave their lore
that their might she could restore
the dread queen had many a name
the wilted rose, the frozen flame
known as the lady of the sea
all that she sought was to be free
now listen, as I tell to thee
the story of a girl so young
a tragic tale here shalt be sung
The wind that whispers in her hair
distant voices - singing fair
and she walks the beach alone
coldness in her veins of stone
an ancient song she does intone:
a song of loss, a song of hate
a tale of a sinister fate
few live who remember yet
and those who do, wish to forget
she sings a song now, shrill and clear
she sings to those who will not hear
she sings to those who held her dear
bereft of fate, she sings her fear
An answer rises from the waves
words resounding from the caves
the ancients of the sea coincide
that in them she may confide
as weeping, she awaits the tide
her eyes in an unearthly glow
tell of what they should not know
her scabbéd wings do now unfold
a scream so piercing, shrill and cold
resounding in the breathless night
evil creatures take to flight
and knowing what she cannot be
now she merges with the sea.
And the seas are torn apart
as she undoes her blackened heart
she walks the shore; her long black hair
falling lose, her skin is bare
her wings held low her skin is grey
her voice the cold touch of decay
she is older than the trees
she is fairer than the breeze
now an elder from the seas
she is colder than the ice
and their death is in her eyes
empty now she is inside
from the secrets she must hide.
Daughter fear, she haunts their dreams
in mockery, or so it seems
caught within an empty shell
she remembers all too well
whispers to them tales of hate
whispers to them of her fate
her coldness burning like the sun
remembering when she was one
one of their race, one of their kind
but never one like them in mind
ever seeing, ever blind
on the roof she hides her wings
when coldly once again she sings
Sings the song that they won't hear
sings the song they always fear
those who once had held her dear
sings a song of loneliness
a song by now emotionless
she knows more than they may guess
and she leaps and flies away
hiding from the break of day
now a creature of the night
in the daytime she must hide
knowing not what she's become
ever hiding from the sun
thus her past becomes undone
in the empty night she cries
remembering when she had eyes
the time when she believed their lies
sitting 'neath an ancient tree
or walking lonely by the sea
for their dreams she now has need
every night she needs to feed
the days are spent in reverie
thoughts of how it used to be
shouting curses at the sun
hate is all that she's become
hating all humanity,
spreading the insanity
despising her reality
though ever blinded, she can see
tears running from what once was eyes
when ever and anon she cries
naked now beside the sea
forgetting all her history
singing clearly in the night
perhaps to keep away the fright
empty now she is, and rotten
sings of dreams now long forgotten
walking down the streets at night
strangers turning soon to flight
eyes burning with a ghastly light
she is the daughter of the sea
she is what they refuse to be
seaweed covering her hair
she is so frighteningly fair
she sold her soul to the sea
to live for an eternity
she shalt be forever free
the language of the sea she knows
and deep inside her darkness grows
spreading through her veins at haste
new souls she must ever taste
spreading the insanity
she feeds on their humanity
In the nights they lie awake
madness spreading like a plague
her crusade is now begun
all the world shall be undone
children keeping on the light
thinking: "Is it me tonight?"
of this plague she is the core
thirsting every night for more
"Mummy won't you lock the door?"
and Peter running home one night
saw a shadow in the light
and all his screaming was in vain
he died in agony and pain.
Her curséd army marshes forth
death is spreading through the north
the dread queen they do now obey
ever spreading her decay
and from the dead her minions rise
payment taken for their lies
insanity is in their eyes
Naalia, queen of the night
ever growing is thy might!
and the elders from the sea
shalt forever follow thee
just like thou they were forgotten
just like thou their minds grew rotten
a crusade is thus begun
she wishes to destroy the sun
there is nowhere left to run
holy war she now declares
on those who held her one of theirs
from the seas the ancients rise
now they shalt reclaim the skies
Naalia is now at war
with humans and the race of lore
but the elders don't forget
a thousand years spent in regret
a hate of men who took the sun
thus their vengeance is begun
The elders hadn't given thought
now deep in her webs they were caught
she met them first in guile of trust
then they were deceived by lust
and ere dawn she drank their souls
now they art amongst her ghouls
those that spreadeth her disease
ever do their ranks increase
her dreaded name is in the air
the plague is spreading everywhere
people dying in despair
and she holds them all to blame
now the world shalt be aflame
Canto II
Thus Naalia, this child so fair
With eyes so cold and long dark hair
Had gained the power to command
The ancients of the under-land
As of yet no one might say
What she would become one day
The darkest pact she now had made
With snakes of old who swore to aid
The queen in every way they might
She promised to restore the night
ere long, she said, all would be right
but yet the story must be told
of love, inflamed ere she grew cold
Her young and slender body clad
in raiment wet, in thoughts so sad
and her skin does still recall
her father's touch, her brutal fall
from ignorance, from innocence
deep in the dark, so lone, so tense
those things she could not understand
when he touched her with his hand
forced to obey his least command
in fear that he would one day smother
what had long since been her mother
memories that haunt her still
of the first whom she would kill
Late in the evening by the door
her body shaking, feet so sore
tears running down her fragile face
a fallen angel, full of grace
those boys in school, they hate her so
but why oh why? – she does not know
they beat her and they locked her up
and though she begged of them to stop
they simply laughed and ran away
into the streets of Faróqay
and left her there for all the day
until a young sweet boy came by
and helped her out and asked her why
And they met in sweet embrace
and she kissed his unspoiled face
then in his throat her teeth would sink
and slowly she would start to drink
before she had a chance to think
fate would it so that he would be
her very first discovery
that she had now complete control
of his body, of his soul
but Naalia chose to destroy
all proof that she had killed this boy
a lesson she was slowly learning:
sate that brutal, deepest yearning
The father in a raspy voice
Would say "I hope thou hath rejoiced
In those few hours without me
That brief time when thou art free"
And dutifully she replied,
Surprised how easily she lied
"my day at school was fine today
the teacher had a lot to say
of how the wondrous birds must fly
from north to south across the sky"
and thought, if only she were dead
she would not have to go to bed
and wait for what must not be said
Deep in a corner she would hide
as their teacher in her stride
threat'ningly would ask them all
if anything they could recall
and slap whoever could not say
how old was northern Faróqay
and one day Naalia had her fill
this woman should not break her will
though too powerful to kill
she might be broken otherwise
she could be destroy'd by lies
and ere long the woman broke
to Naalia, all was a joke
Naalia was often lonely
sometimes thinking, that if only
all these people dared to speak
she might in them some comfort seek
she tried most of the time to hide
that burning hunger deep inside
that often swept her like a tide
Azagal, her only friend
taught her how to comprehend
this ancient tongue that animals spake
thus she learned how to forsake
the townsfolk and their pitiful fates
ignoring all their masquerades
In her times of misery
her dolls would keep her company
one she had with curly hair
another with a face so fair
she hoped a dawn would come some day
when all the pain would go away
and she would no more have to stay
with her father that old beast
who in state of mind at least
was so utterly deranged
father, daughter, so estranged
never to him she would speak
she would in dolls her comfort seek
Often to herself she spake
with people, she no chance would take
for she learned soon not to trust
those that met her with disgust
or those that came because they must
it was a bitter lesson learned
you keep only what you've earned
often she would wander long
and sing a quiet, simple song
that told of all her agony
of all that they were not to see
though every now and then she'd smile
learning slowly to beguile
Naalia, that lonely child
whom others thought so cold and wild
might not something have been done
to make her not consume the sun?
that is, alas, by now too late
for Naalia will carve her fate
from all those souls that she's possessed
that never once her thoughts have guessed
she is so young, so sad, distressed
maybe she cannot comprehend
that everything might meet its end
ere to fruition comes her plan
to have control of every man
In those days so long ago
when no pain she yet would know
that time when she was still so young
long ere her tales were wrought in song
to many quite a mystery
she seemed to like her misery
and in class she oft excelled
not long ere she'd be expelled
they could not see why she rebelled
for this they could not understand
that she would not be led by hand
albeit her skills she oft displayed
and many instruments she played
Oft she'd be walking on her own
along the shores, so all alone
she listened to the birds at sea
who taught her, this is to be free
from pain, from fears and misery
and on the piers of Faróqay
she learned what birds might have to say
of smiling, laughing, dance and love
of sunshine falling from above
and lying in a bundled rope
sometimes she would even hope
that those birds might have understood
that all she asked, was something good
Like sun eclipsed were her dark eyes
like sweetest honey was her lies
from her lips they ever flowed
misery and pain they sowed
Naalia was very shy
albeit when people asked her why
she did not know what to reply
rather she would run away
until she found some place to stay
thinking of those things she feared
until they had disappeared
and slowly creeping out she came
half curious, yet bowed in shame
Canto III
Her armies now are marching forth
the plague is spreading through the north
and raised she has, a citadel
wherein she does her hunger quell
as slow disease consumes each town
and though the dread queen wears no crown
vast armies she does now command
who at but a wave of her hand
will give their lives in sacrifice
that all lands be consumed by ice
and ravens blackening the skies
fly forever north and south
to carry orders from her mouth
The ancients follow her as well
inside her castle now they dwell
they were broken at her hand
now they must heed her command
these beings half of man and snake
who for themselves it all would take
now they dwell within her lair
with all the horrors living there
their skin so cold and dark and fair
the ancients now must yield their lore
to the queen, who thirsts for more
in order that she lets them live
the queen knows not how to forgive
Thousands of peoples on the run
thunder clouds block out the sun
vast streams of creatures of the dark
all of them burnt with Naalias mark
in endless rivers pouring forth
from high and dark and frozen north
the foulest creatures known to man
obey a flicker of her hand
such horrors you can't understand
demons foul, half man, half beast
she ordereth them now to feast
on every man as yet alive
that her children grow and thrive
Cold frozen death embraced by some
those leaves that fall ere winter come
those red leaves frozen ere they fall
that willingly do heed her call
and many more by force were taken
rumours fly of these forsaken
woken by the setting sun
the dread queens horrors fully done
cold, mindless monsters they become
all dominated by her will
the night queen tells them whom to kill
and soon their selves are lost, forgotten
soon their minds are cold and rotten
her lands are desolate and cold
and strange, horrific things of old
come crawling from the darkest caves
as they concede to be her slaves
though in the south, resistance still
is found in people strong in will
but her mind is far ahead
of all their plans to see her dead
she them begins to infiltrate
a thousand creatures spreading hate
and in their minds she does create
a horror deep inside her foes
who fear her darkness as it grows
Red fires burning night and day
foul creatures born from mud and clay
unholy fires forging blades
of steel to slay all whom she hates
and shields that bear her hateful mark
and pointed spears and banners dark
and crooked-bladed cruel swords
are made to fit her growing hordes
of evil men and fouler things
soaring with angelic wings
they tear apart the northern skies
they have their mother's frozen eyes
and soon they start to spread her lies
Those broken men she does command
and demons roam across her land
children brought to sate her hunger
she prefers when they are younger
a child of age alike the queen
hangs from a chain with torn out spleen
deep in her dungeons damp and dark
are brought the children with her mark
she likes the best those younger males
that shudder when she tells the tales
of how the latest victim died
and all his yearnings he denied
consumed by hunger, still he lied
O Naalia, thou monster fair
with scabbéd wings and long dark hair
thine cloven tongue in poison soaked
thy nakedness in hatred cloaked
and from thine lips spill cruel lies
that split thine foes, that sever ties
among those men that would oppose
the maiden of the wilted rose
and deep inside thee malice grows
now overseas thine plague is carried
striking those who there had tarried
darkness spreads across the globe
it ends all joy and eats all hope
Queen Naalia she walks alone
Her wings conceal her heart of stone
Once, for a friend was all she longed
But thinking now how she's been wronged
Determined not to reconcile
So many people to defile
Naalia, what tragedy
What long forgotten mystery
Lies hidden in your history?
What hopes lie hidden in your thought
How many dreams have come to naught?
That tiny, damp, yet unseen tear
Soon brushed away in anguished fear
Fear that someone might realise
That 'neath those dark and frozen eyes
Lies a little girl that cries
Fear that someone might suddenly
Open your eyes and make you see
That though all life may end in fall
Young lady spring returns it all
The key is thrown away
You lock your doors while you decay
Behind this shell that used to be
So young, so laughing, glad and free
So happy, smiling, full of joy
But now just seeketh to destroy
That little girl, misunderstood
Who wanted naught but to be good
Naught but a beaten beast to some
Dear child, what is it you've become?
Naalia, what have you done?
In reverie alone she sat
When the teacher at her spat
She ran amid their cries of laughter
Fled the shame that follows after
Fleeing deep into the wood
Where at least she's understood
The animals, by some thought crude
They helped her in her solitude
In summer walking by the sea
So lost in silent reverie
With Azagal, her only friend
Who told her to be malcontent
With all the things done by her father
He told her that she should rather
Show him all that she could do
Then take a sword and run him through
Settle it once and for all
And flee what judgement might befall
"Nay, never will thee know," she said
"the madness in my fathers head
he won't be easily misled"
now her mother woke one morning
waddled down the stair, and yawning
saw upon the kitchen table
something which she was not able
to completely understand
her husband dead, unmoving, and
her daughter with a knife in hand
this boy's with her, whom she's never
seen before in all Threndever
she runs to her husbands side
Naalia in an angry stride
Turns round and leaves and slams the door
She's left her home forevermore
Canto IV
Thus Naalia her home has left
of family, of love bereft
her father dead within that place
still haunted by her mother's face
this young child so misunderstood
who wanted goodness, but she could
not bear the hate and fear she met
she refuses to regret
what she has done, for it is right
her dad deserved to die that night
those good things she has not enjoyed
all those lives she has destroyed
so twisted, cold and paranoid
Naalia she chose to flee
and seeking comfort by the sea
a voice she heard, and turned around
to see, by whom she had been found
Half snake, half man with greenish scale
It's lower body but a tail
it rose amid the roaring waves
and then it led her to the caves
for hours she is with the snake
it tells her stories by the lake
of how the snakekind had been wronged
by son of day, and how they longed
for what rightly to them belonged
Remembers when she was a child
they thought her to be cold and wild
for they would never once perceive
that it was they who wrought her grief
and they found her by the shore
when she was five or little more
to their homes she then was brought
and their tongue she then was taught
but never might they guess her thought
and she would walk alone all day
the other kids would run away
her mind by none was understood
and of her lies there came no good
now Naalia does choose to make
a pact with cloven tonguéd snake
that if they aid her by the shore
their former might she will restore
and they seal the pact in blood
with prayers to a heathen god
forth from the shadows now they slide
now, no longer must they hide
as Naalia awaits the tide
the moon is full, dark is the night
as Naalia in all her might
the town that once was home destroys
and all their terror she enjoys
into the night, bright flames do spring
as Naalia undoes everything
that ties her to that horrid past
which now she might escape at last
shrill cries resounding in the night
the screams of people taking flight
and cries of children deep in fear
corpses lying everywhere
the snakes of old slay everyone
intending to reclaim the sun
thus Naalias conquest is begun
clouds of smoke, flames everywhere
cold screams tearing apart the air
these snakes in blackened armour clad
will take all that is to be had
black blood spills unto the ground
as one by one, they all are found
the snakes heed not the mothers pleas
for they are cold just like the seas
from whence they come, these ancient snakes
they will do everything it takes
once more to claim what once was theirs,
and take land from unworthy heirs
and Naalia makes use of their hate
to take control of her own fate
as yet her hatred won't abate
still she lingers in that place
where everyone would shun her face
the villagers ere dawn had fled
as Naalia the ancients led
to undo bone and shatter heart
she will tear them all apart
for now it has become her fate
that hunger she must ever sate
their cottages are set aflame
the dread queen holds them all to blame
nothing now remains the same
and in glee she does rejoice
in every life that she destroys
Naalia, where do you hide?
and where do you await the tide?
how do you now survive the cold
and all the nightmares that unfold
deep in the chasms of your mind?
Seeming so gentle, seeming kind
enslaved you have ten thousand more
the ancients dwelling by the shore
have given eagerly their lore
fleeing beaten from the fields
yet another army yields
marching forth, your troops advance
claiming all these broken lands
though once broken she might be
the ancients came and set her free
millions now she does command
the foulest things obey her hand
and this queen of but eighteen springs
ghouls she commands and fouler things
obey her whim and does her will
slaying whom she says to kill
by foul insects her plague is spread
her army strengthened by the dead
and all those souls she has misled
this broken child that once was free
she has forgotten how to see
thou maiden of the wilted rose
out of the north thine army flows
moving like a thousand floods
thou art the fury of the Gods
O maiden of eternal night
your many forces set alight
the towns through which they pass at will
the ancients, they intend to kill
all those that haven't fallen ill
of your disease spread by the flies
he who's afflicted, oh he dies
not, he is now controlled by thee
never more he shalt be free
Scabbéd wingéd maiden fair
With eyes like stars and long dark hair
And jewels of the rarest kind
That you have had your minions find
Are brought to you from far away
From Threndever and Faróqay
Foul demons doing all you say
Reside within this land of old
That thou hath taken from the folk
That once within them would reside
Naalia, mistress of the tide
Within your castle now you wait
you took control of your own fate
a relic lost, an ancient stone
hidden in the mountain bone
of this old land that she has claimed
tortured, broken, cold and maimed
tales travel far of this old knife
that would bestow unending life
to whomsoever wielded it
now deep in some forgotten pit
it lies, awaits a master who
would seek the power to undo
old lady fate herself and shatter
every bond and break and batter
everything that seems to matter
an entourage she now assembles
every living creature trembles
as this ghastly company
sets forth to alter history
they travel many nights and days
by old and now forgotten ways
in to the mountains harsh and cold
where lives a noble race of old
so fair and noble to behold
these high and cold and frozen peaks
that hide the thing which Naalia seeks
an ancient stone of powers great
that she may control her fate
Canto V
Heaps of snow are everywhere
in this high place, cold is the air
tall pointed rocks, fangs of the cliff
she walks among them, cold and stiff
thunder clouds are drawing near
Naalia looks at them in fear
soon this tempest will arrive
she knows she must flee to survive
through the blizzard she must strive
she passes round another turn
her hands are cold, her feet they burn
a little cave she comes upon
wherein she may hide from the sun
They travel now for many days
by ancient and forgotten ways
and thunderclouds are moving nigh
they will assault these mountains high
Naalia flees into the caves
and cut off from her many slaves
to go on is her only choice
guided, by but hand and voice
she moves further through this void
each sound making her paranoid
tries to recall what she enjoyed
in order that her mind may flee
from her grim reality
Deep into these caverns old
where things forgotten, rivers cold
and stranger things than these are found
these caverns of the underground
where long forgotten monsters hide
in deepest caverns they abide
Naalia now has to go
having passed through storms of snow
the thing which she does hope to find
is but a girl, young, fair and kind
and lonely and remembered not
but Naalia learned how folk forgot
this child and what she would become
forgot, and dreaded yet by some
A whisper strange, that here rebounds
in these deep caverns – figment sounds
spring out of every passageway
knowing that she can't delay
and that she must not loose her way
she runs and runs into the deep
here silence rules, and she must keep
the rules unspoken, that apply
in this place, hidden from the sky
ere long she finds a chamber vast
and she halts, for now at last
she may be safe in this cold place
she walks, her heart it beats apace
For long she walks deep underground
through this strange place that she has found
through vast halls, past rivers cold
the bowels of these mountains old
Naalia does now explore
like few have ever done before
dark rivers flowing through this place
a memory that here decays
of those by now forgotten ways
of the folk that here would dwell
their history, these mountains tell
how long ago they were destroyed
by the power they enjoyed
She travels on for days and days
through narrow holes, by ancient ways
through these bowels of the earth
that so long ago gave birth
to people gone, to ancient ways
of those that lived in long gone days
these caverns they do now lament
they are an ancient testament
to people that would long since be
beneath this ancient canopy
but Naalia is not aware
of what great things transpired here
she is alone, distraught with fear
For days on end she wanders deep
in this place, that would secrets keep
long since forgot what here begun
by those that live beneath the sun
a cavern of far greater size
than any she has yet laid eyes
upon, the dread queen now does enter
with an island in the centre
of these waters deep and cold
in this place did men of old
worship gods so long ago
beneath these mountains clad in snow
where their society would grow
Naalia, queen so cold and fair
you know not why you wander here
everything you have forsaken
that the sleeper may awaken
on you crawl, though cold and shaken
now all alone you are in here
the mountain speaks your deepest fear
not a single soul might guess
what you fear most is loneliness
and in your mind still something hides
forever there, this thing resides
and though your father now is dead
still the darkness you do dread
This image still within your mind
of your father cold and kind
he did something which he should
have left undone but still he could
not manage, himself to restrain
and thus he caused you too much pain
dark water fills the cavern, thee
now walketh into as thou see
an island rising in the centre
of the place, that now you enter
something you have not been told
lies hidden in these caverns old
a treasure worth much more than gold
Now on a bare and bulky stone
sits a little girl alone
as soon as Naalia, she descries
the little girl jumps up and cries:
"The thing you seek, you know it not
but I have time to sit and rot
like I have done for many years
now void of feelings, void of tears
- what is it then, can you explain
what it is, I here might gain?
what is it, that does here remain?
the queen replied, and then the child
broke into a laughter wild
"Why should I lend my aid to thee
Naalia, mistress of the sea?
what is here for me to gain
That my work shalt not be in vain?"
and soon, the dread queen does reply
"to Thee, Menai, I shalt not lie
I will show you, what for long
you have not seen, but only sung
in cold lament, in this dark place
let me take you to the face
of this place, where you chose to hide
these caverns where you do abide
My lady, I lend thee my aid
no longer will I be afraid
of sun so bright and wicked day
mistress, lead me on the way"
the girl replies, and then she stands
holding out her small white hands
and Naalia leads her from that place
where for so long she hid her face
now Naalia asks, half lost in thought:
"what then is the thing I sought?
- My lady, it is me you seek
please think not that I am weak
please be the vengeance of the freak"
Thus Naalia findeth what she did
not know was in the mountains hid
the slender child is young and fair
with blue-green eyes and long white hair
she is a thing of powers great
like Naalia, always met with hate
a vortex Menai is, of power
that would make a strong man cower
of magic flowing everywhere
she is a centre and they fear
her uncontrolléd powers great
and thus the child was met with hate
that over time did not abate
Canto VI
In the cargo hold she hid
inside a barrel with a lid
her thirst a problem ever growing
for the crew must not be knowing
that within the cargo hold
lies Naalia, the dread queen cold
Naalia stealing as she might
in the middle of the night
once the men put out the light
blood of rats she has to drink
for the sailors mustn't think
that in the port of Faróqay
the ship picked up a stowaway
She steals out to feed at night
rats are all that she can bite
the child Menai, the queen has brought
that young fair thing which she had sought
for days and weeks at sea they are
the sailors track the northern star
and seagulls follow from afar
they come to strange and unknown places
foreign people, foreign faces
creatures strange, they do descry
that most would think were but a lie
birds with two heads, and stranger still
are cats that vanish ere they kill
Who are you Menai, young and cold
long hidden in those caverns old
though a mere child you may seem
broken, without self esteem
inside you're hiding so much more
than even the wise man foresaw
who drove you from your home of old
to live high in the mountains cold
eyes fair like stars you do possess
and not a soul would ever guess
at what you are about to be
what becomes your destiny
the darkness in you will be free
With high black cliffs, the waves collide
where cruel birds of prey reside
for days on end the ship does sail
and ever and anon the wail
of ancient creatures of the deep
does wake the sailors in their sleep
mother sea is unforgiving
keeps the dead and claims the living
though they note their dwindling store
the captain speaks of ancient lore
that he who prays shalt earn much more
that it is told in history
the Gods reward your piety
Carathim follow secretly
to make sure that their queen shalt be
kept safe while she is on the sea
the northern coast they have to track
the deepest sea so cold and black
they cannot cross, for it is told
that ancient creatures huge and cold
monsters out of stories old
dwell beneath these freezing waves
pulling sailors to their graves
where, forever broken slaves
of creatures strange, they come to be
broken, lost, and never free
For many days they travel on
at last the crew have now begun
to fear what claims their lives at night
the sailors are distraught with fright
and though the captain tries to ease
their minds, the sailors will not cease
to think that ancient ghosts are there
to slay them and feed on their fear
the captain feels the tension rise
he sees the terror in their eyes
and though at night they all do pray
the evil does not go away
Naalia intends to stay
The sailors speak of mutiny
for though, in careful scrutiny
the captain's given much of thought
yet no solution has he brought
to that which haunts the ship at night
as soon as they turn out the light
for days no land has been in sight
and terrors haunt the men at sea
for from the dawn of history
an ancient tale has been retold
of creatures strange from days of old
that would drive a good man mad
and make him loose all he has had
Tales of sirens, who by song
would make a man forever long
to stay no more at high cold sea
that only place where you are free
many are the terrors old
that live at sea, so deep and cold
and many sailors still do find
that stranger still is what the mind
can do to people who are blind
from superstitious whisperings
and fairy tales of cruel things
that would bring your life to end
unless you pray and then repent
Among themselves, the crew do speak
the captain, they find old and weak
for though he prays at night so late
still the killings don't abate
and ere the break of dawn a scream
wakes the captain from his dream
and dangling from a crooked hook
they find the body of the cook
and ancient scriptures, holy writ
cannot make these killings fit
to ancient tales or make them cease
slowly terror does increase
their terror does the dread queen please
Now terror does inflame their eyes
"perhaps another sacrifice
will please whatever demon old
of this good ship has taken hold"
the captain draws an ancient sword
and then he rises like a lord
"Me, ye dogs, ye shall not slay
now sheath yer steel, and back away!"
cold silence fall between them all
ere the sailors heed his call
for without him, they know they'll fall
but still the horror does remain
slowly it drives them insane
Now from below the dread queen flies
a strange blue fire sears their eyes
she spreads her wings and screaming she's
slaying everyone she sees
she rips them open, she destroys
whichever hope these men enjoys
the men lie slaughtered everywhere
except for those who leapt in fear
into the sea so deep and cold
where many died ere they grew old
now standing on that deck alone
her ancient song she does intone
that freezes all men to the bone
Now far out on the northern sea
the dread queen stands alone and free
with Menai standing at her side
she waits the coming of the tide
and waves like none have ever seen
rise at the bidding of the queen
and mother sea in all her might
shall bring the dread queen of the night
to new shores, and her children vile
shalt have new people to defile
and birds are screaming shrill and clear
a harbinger of deepest fear
of death that's slowly drawing near
Thus the ship sails into port
with but two living souls aboard
and nearly twenty bodies lie
unmoving, staring at the sky
Naalia, once thought cold and wild
departs the ship with this young child
they leave the ship, where men decay
from home they've come, to far away
the shining jewel Aranaë
now Naalia does draw a mark
of evil magic, old and dark
the child Menai begins to scream
a flood of fire starts to stream
Canto VII
Demons foul now do spring forth
summoned from the frozen north
screams of horror fill the night
as the dread queen in her might
commands her forces to attack
all those who sought to hold her back
all of the town is broken soon
as she who walks beneath the moon
unleasheth those at her command
and in her way no one can stand
fires burning everywhere
people flee, distraught with fear
the moon is full, the skies are clear
Thus begins her greatest war
her armies claim the northern shore
of Calaghin, that ancient land
against her might no one can stand
the towns now burn along the shore
and from the north she's bringing more
of creatures dark, but southern kings
seek to destroy those horrid things
that the dread queen has set loose
wisely now they have to choose
their vengeance now the ancients take
they come, and they intend to wreak
destruction, death is in their wake
Black smoke rising in the air
corpses lying everywhere
screaming people try to flee
from the dread queen of the sea
her forces she does now assemble
on their high thrones kings now tremble
the queen shows naught but contempt
for those weak kings who would attempt
to foil the queen and thwart her plans
to take control of southern lands
people slaughtered here and there
many, overcome by fear
do flee, the dead lie everywhere
Darkness spreading from the north
wingéd demons marching forth
thunderclouds are drawing near
people slaughtered everywhere
as now the realm of Evermere
assailed by creatures foul does fall
Naalia will slaughter all
who would attempt to foil her schemes
to rule all men and eat their dreams
hope extinguished, memories
of ere the people of the seas
would rise to undo everything
for Naalia, who still does sing
Naalia, maiden cold and fair
with cold dark eyes and long black hair
fairer still than stars so bright
Naalia, mistress of the night
within her heart the darkness reigns
she neither loves nor cares, she feigns
affection, you can never tell
when she will make your life a hell
your heart so cold, your mind contorted
everything you see distorted
by those words that flood your mind
thou art so evil, cold and blind
thou art so utterly unkind
A new crusade is thus begun
the southern kingdoms overrun
thunderclouds block out the sun
thus Naalia does bring her war
her legions claim the northern shore
and black and hellish industry
shalt help her alter history
great battles in the fields are fought
but Naalia has given thought
to everything, she knows her foe
and now she cometh, bringing woe
and anyone who does resist
is smitten by her iron fist
At last her armies stand before
the gates of old Peledrinnor
and huge machines of vile design
shalt help her make the town resign
as bolts of fire break the wall
in numbers great, the soldiers fall
and flaming trenches by the gate
shalt help her seal the city's fate
and the streets are filled with screams
of terror in this worst of dreams
and evil monsters fill the skies
and even now her cruel lies
do undo bonds and shatter ties
And manifold are all the crimes
committed in these darkest times
as the will of men does fail
and fighting seems to no avail
everywhere she does prevail
queen Naalia in all her might
intends to bring eternal night
she is the dark that eats all light
to those who sought to end her reign
and unto those who sought to feign
allegiance, she does bring a pain
as great as any ever known
to man, it goes through flesh and bone
In the end the gates are broken
people see this as a token
that at last now, all is lost
and all shall be engulfed by frost
that now they have to pay the cost
for daring to defy the queen
who reigns of things vile and unseen
thus servitude they now do swear
though it's done mostly out of fear
thus her numbers do increase
and her assault she will not cease
against the south her force is led
and in the north new things are bred
Creatures vile as any known
to man, now wander on their own
in lands that once were fair and free
but now have been brought on their knee
and sunlight does begin to fail
as the dread queen casts her veil
on this defeated, broken land
that in the end alone would stand
against her might without a chance
to stop her spear, to break her lance
thus yet another land does fail
resistance seems to no avail
as everywhere, she does prevail
Naalia, so cold and fair
your name is spoken everywhere
as like a tidal wave so cold
you do send forth the snakes of old
the ancients do know magic still
to alter thought and shatter will
much thought lost they still recall
from that time ere you wrought their fall
once noble, Carathim would be
but they forgot soon how to see
and thus they are no longer free
and that is how, by lust unspoken
in the end the snakes were broken
Menai still is with the queen
and powers as of yet unseen
she does unleash upon her foes
the maiden of the wilted rose
she that does not know of love
her wicked creatures soar above
these lands caught in perpetual night
her creatures are a horrid sight
that does drive many men insane
and all resistance is in vain
terror reigning everywhere
and many people do not dare
they flee while looking to the air
A lonely girl does lie in bed
she cries, her parents do lie dead
she cannot make a single sound
or by the snakes she will be found
she is so cold. alone and scared
deprived of those, for whom she cared
and the poor and young girl's scream
resounds in this night that would seem
to never end, and everything
does fall, to she who still does sing
her songs so vile and spreads her lies
coldest death is in her eyes
her sons do fill the blackened skies
Canto VIII
O Naalia, thou child so fair
with silken black and knee long hair
so frail you seem, and yet within
a hatred grows, of all your kin
an image of the Gods of old
so unforgiving, cruel, cold
is the smile upon your face
as you do laugh within that place
your heart so frozen, eyes ablaze
within these cold, forsaken halls
your laughter sweet like water falls
such innocence, what could destroy
such happiness, such wondrous joy?
When still she was a child and fair
she'd hear the birdsong in the air
and though she hated it at school
she would be subject to their rule
rather than at home to stay
and if she could, she'd run away
into the streets of Faróqay
and she'd go swimming in the sea
down by the shore, completely free
from those who judged her far too soon
she loved to gaze upon the moon
and hear the birds who oft would sing
that " yes, you can do anything".
Red flowers covering the lawn
as Naalia in early dawn
in wet dew covered grass she lay
and listened as the break of day
would chase the last vestige of night
and soon the birds would take to flight
and greet the coming of the light
and she would laugh in solitude
out here where she might exclude
the terror that went on inside
where often she would have to hide
beneath the stairs for hours long
lest her father do her wrong
A dress she had, red as the sun
just ere it sets, and she would run
into the fields just north of town
where she'd give up herself and drown
deep within that vast sea of corn
so golden-red in early morn
and she would laugh and dance and run
watching, as the day begun
and slowly everything awoke
and from the houses thick dark smoke
would rise from chimneys manifold
upon those rooftops painted gold
in early morning, young and cold
Though friends were something she had not
she treasured things that most forgot
she painted pictures manifold
they were so wondrous to behold
she painted anything she'd see
a house, a rock, a wrinkled tree
with thick strong roots and branches green
and things so wondrous to be seen
though at the reasons none could guess
she seemed to like her loneliness
and Naalia with that long black hair
she sang a song so cold and fair
her music weaving through the air
And often with the birds she spake
in solitude, down by the lake
leaning back against a tree
beneath that dark, green canopy
so alone, so fair, so free
and in the woods for hours long
she'd walk alone and sing her song
as winter swept across the land
the summer was retreating and
the naked branches bony, cold
the land so dismal to behold
white specks of snow lie everywhere
cold and biting is the air
Down by the river she would lie
she dreamt, if only she could fly
staring at the azure sky
so clear without a cloud in sight
the sun so golden, shining bright
then some young kid would wander by
and she would run and hide, so shy
for many times now, she'd been taught
that other children wish her naught
but sorrow, pain and misery
she'd learned that throughout history
man has been wont to fear what he
can't understand, or fails to see
Yet solitude was everywhere,
looming, stirring up the air
thus long ago the seeds were sown
for what has ever since been known
to be the thing that she fears most
that poltergeist, that ancient ghost
of what none other were to know
atrocities done long ago
that deep within her soul would grow
that fear of loneliness, so deep
that ever more it's hold would keep
of this poor child, so young and fair
with eyes like suns and silken hair
And a million dolls she had
some were smiling, some were sad
some she had with dresses fair
some she had with curly hair
and if you wound them up, they'd speak
some were of porcelain and weak
yet others now, were made of wood
one had a golden gilded hood
one she had that missed an eye
and looked as though it tried to cry
a smile upon it's lips, so shy
and Naalia saw it as a token
like herself, the doll was broken
at morning, ere the break of day
she would pick up her harp and play
and melodies and tunes so fair
would start to wander through the air
and then her mother would come down
dressed in her white morning gown
and for her husband she would make
bread, scrambled eggs, and honey cake
the two would dine in silent bliss
no sign of all that was amiss
in that unhappy family
so torn by pain and misery
caught in the husband's tyranny
And ere dawn she'd leave for school
the day still young, the old town's fool
would stop and greet her on her way
through the old streets of Faróqay
so early, ere the break of day
ere long at school, she would arrive
here she knew she'd have to strive
not to be noticed by the teacher
lest a fury great, should reach her
in the back she'd sit and wait
wondering, what was her fate
and when the bell rang high at noon
she'd go home, but not too soon
One late night her mother said
just ere she were put to bed
"our child, young one, you're not
you were abandoned and forgot
love, it seems, was not your lot
we keep you, not to earn disgrace
but you're not wanted in this place"
Naalia was deeply hurt
the mother left without a word
and though at first, she would not weep
Naalia cried herself to sleep
she wanted, just to run away
but had no other place to stay
Now the story has been told
of what befell ere she grew cold
yet other tales do still remain
of sorrow, misery and pain
now hearken, heed this tale so dark
of how the queen would leave her mark
feared by many, cold and vile
she knew well how to beguile
she had so much left to defile
claimed she had, the frozen north
from whence her minions foul sprang forth
a tidal wave to slaughter all
who would not heed the dread queen's call
Canto IX
Menai feared for the young queen
She feared that something yet unseen
Might cause her to loose everything
like Caranthor where men still sing
how he fell to the puppet king
The threat posed by the ancient snakes
still lurking by the many lakes
was something Naalia failed to see
but Menai knew they would not be
just coexisting peacefully
she knew the snakes would still be scheming
even though there might be seeming
peace, of vengeance they were dreaming
Screams of horror greet the day
the acrid, thick stench of decay
does cast it's veil upon the land
as it falls at the dread queen's hand
dark are the clouds and threatening
her minions slaughter everything
and everyone that cross their path
destruction is the aftermath
of this path that the queen has chosen
she is dreadful, fair and frozen
thus the dread queen carved her fate
so cold and dark and full of hate
her tempest will not yet abate
The child Menai, she saw in fear
how the young queen, whom she held dear
had set upon this path of hate
she feared that it would seal her fate
but Menai knew not what to say
to sway the queen to turn away
from this path she had set upon
those things the dread queen had begun
young Menai had to stay away
and watch her queen start to decay
and as the days grew cold and grey
young Menai thought, if only she
could change Naalias destiny
The southern lands were now enslaved
many men dead or depraved
the queens plague now had taken hold
the northern shores grew bare and cold
her prisoners would beg to die
but this request she would deny
she'd torture them 'till naught was left
of sanity they'd be bereft
the queen took pleasure in this game
she broke them with fear, sin and shame
soon everyone would dread her name
she'd take hold of their destiny
destroy all that they used to be
In vast halls built by slaves, of stone
the Dread queen sits upon her throne
her slenderness draped all in black
she is dreaded for her lack
of feelings and of sympathy
her thoughts a hidden mystery
her halls patrolled by Carathim
these snake-like folk, so cold and grim
and now and then the screams resound
from the great dungeons underground
the dread queens evil so profound
and still her forces wage her war
still the dread queen thirsts for more
In shadows hid, Menai descried
how Naalia sometimes cried
she feared the queen would loose much more
in waging this unholy war
than Naalia could understand
the ancients of the under land
their cloven tongues spake cloven words
and when the queen had left they cursed
her name, and spoke low words of hate
how they might seek to change their fate
and Menai heard them speak dissention
words of hate she heard them mention
when outside the queens attention
Naalia, so fair and cold
for centuries her tale was told
of all the things that she destroyed
so young, distraught and paranoid
her tale retold by many sages
her war echoed through the ages
this girl who sought to destroy
all hope, and end all love and joy
so cold and fair, yet young and coy
in but few years, she altered all
she brought her war and wrought the fall
of kingdoms that for many years
had been complacent, without fears
But Menai saw her slow descent
from love, to hate and malcontent
for the future she would fear
that she might loose her queen so dear
not to death, disease or fate,
but to her ever growing hate
and late at night, Menai could see
how Naalia slowly ceased to be
herself, so lost upon that sea
of lies, concocted by the snakes
their evil deeper than the lakes
from whence they came in days long gone
long ere the bright and shining sun
Black smoke rises everywhere
so thick you cannot breathe the air
Carathim they come to slaughter
any who oppose the daughter
of the everlasting night
that now has fallen, no more light
is seen at dawn, instead a haze
falls on these old towns still ablaze
the screams of those who have not fled
resounds, as they do join the dead
now black ships carry many more
of Naalia's demons to the shore
the people know not what's in store
But still the child Menai could see
the queen was caught in misery
her war was nothing but a shell
so that no man could ever tell
that she was but a child so broken
all those secrets never spoken
never would she yield a token
that beneath her masquerade
what she once were, began to fade
often now the queen would stay
inside, where her will could decay
from all the lies that Carathim
would plant, that she would do their whim
Those eyes long since bereft of life
a man lies dead next to his wife
the grass is blackened by his blood
a plea to an unheeding god
were his last words before he died
his dead wife, what he last descried
their house in ruins, smoke does rise
does reach those unforgiving skies
Carathim soldiers everywhere
and reeking death is in the air
old women, children do lie slain
they tried to flee, albeit in vain
slow death they suffered, full of pain
Menai saw Naalia's will decay
it withering would fade away
Naalia fled into her hate
this, it seems, would be her fate
her war begun, her mind was set
not to forgive, nor to forget
the dread queen swore not to regret
all the destruction she'd begun
the path, which she had set upon
the snakes, these vessels of her will
at her word they were sworn to kill
and Menai feared that her dear queen
would loose herself to things unseen
Thick smoke darkening the skies
ever now Naalias lies
do grow like fetuses of fear
everything does seem unclear
towns in ruins everywhere
and all things green have ceased to grow
in people's eyes, their fear does show
a hand unmoving, still does try
to reach the unforgiving sky
a terror deep, still carved upon
a face, that still does seem to shun
the horror that caused her to die
amid the ruins, her corpse does lie
Canto X
In a chamber near the throne
wondering, and all alone
Menai sat upon the bed
so late at night, she hid her head
she felt a growing sense of dread
a pattern she saw, not yet quite
revealed to her, though all this night
she'd sat there lonely, wondering
what did she feel? What was this thing?
she saw that Naalia was descending
into hatred never ending
then she ran into the room
where Naalia dwelt in constant gloom
"Naalia, I beg of thee
please use thine eyes and try to see
- see what, Menai? But fear or hate
they are deserving of their fate!
- won't you please, your anger stay?
There has to be some other way!
- it is too late, it has begun
this darkness shalt consume the sun
- no it's not, it's not too late
you can abandon all this hate
this does not have to be your fate
please turn back from this dreadful way
it leads to nothing but decay!
Menai, I will do what I must
humans, them you cannot trust
- what does that mean? Oh now I see
you do not even trust in me
- Menai, you're something far more fair
than any curséd, earthly heir
- your parents may have done you wrong
like many times you now have sung
but that's no reason to destroy
all that was fair, and have no joy
- yes indeed, it does seem sad
that mankind has decayed, gone bad
as anything I've ever known
a new crop now has to be sown
But you're wrong, still there is hope
mankind has to learn to cope
with all the hate they have inside,
all the fears they try to hide
you must turn back, my dearest queen
I fear for you, for I have seen
what the future holds in store
you shalt fall forever more
- leave those humans to decay
Menai, it is the only way
I have to destroy the sun
mankind has to be undone
you know yourself, what they've become
They may be broken, lost, but still
some do exist, with strength of will
Naalia, I hold you dear,
my queen, it is for you I fear
- Menai my dear, I can't be hurt
Carathim still obey my word
- but there's something you don't see
I hear them speak of treachery
- long ago, I broke their will
they have not the strength to kill
without my word, they lack the skill
- Naalia, their will is strong
I merely fear that you are wrong
- Mistaken, that I cannot be
Menai my dear, you have to see
man is condemned to decay
my dear, this is the only way
listen, clearly you must see
this is the way things have to be
it is my fate to seize the sun
all good things have to be undone
- Naalia, please don't decay
there has to be some other way
there are other shades than grey
the birds are fair, and still they sing
you mustn't undo everything
- For ages now the birds have sung
seeing not what has gone wrong
ignorant, they seem to be
of pain and hate and misery
they do not seem to realize
man has destroyed himself by lies
birds know not of fear and hate
they seem to fly away from fate
but humans are not born with wings
they have to face the horrid things
that lady fate does hold in store
they can't just flee forevermore
speak not to me of the birds' lore
Of what then should I speak, my queen?
I try to tell you what I've seen
Naalia, you have to see
the snakes don't want you to be free
- you are mistaken, dear Menai
the snakes hate humans just as I
they want to reclaim the sky
- no my queen, it is not so
trust me, for I have come to know
- I am not capable of trust
Menai, I will do what I must
- my queen, please use your eyes and see
this is not who you used to be
True words you speak Menai, I'm not
that broken girl, so soon forgot
by what should be my family
now I am powerful and free
more so, than any who before
spent years lost deep in ancient lore
whatever fate does hold in store
I fear it not, quite unlike some
who hide from what they would become
this fate for years was in the making
now it's ours for the taking
my fate now is to be decay
it is too late to turn away"
Thus Naalia dismissed Menai
who ran, ere she began to cry
now once again, the queen consorted
with those snakes, by hate contorted
they taught her the ways of old
they filled her mind with fears untold
and soon the Dread queen would decree
that none, who wanted to be free
should speak of what she used to be
"the child that was within", she said
"is gone, it's withered, lost and dead
my future is the hate I sing
and the despair, that I do bring"
With Azagal she counseled still
when in doubt of her own will
"this war" he said, "has to be fought
or everything will come to naught"
and thus at last her war was brought
upon the lands far to the east
who prayed to an unholy beast
primitives that lived in caves
she sought to make them all her slaves
they resided in high places
dark skinned folk with painted faces
soon the forests were on fire
and the threat they faced was dire
And the war does not abate
now the queen does concentrate
on those lands that would still defy
her reign of terror, and deny
the might, that in her grasp does lie
and wild men with painted faces
she enlists in stranger places
than the queen has seen as yet
and Naalia does not forget
defiance, nor does she desist
her mind is shrouded in a mist
concocted by the Carathim
ever her sight grows more dim
Thus the dread queen would deny
the warning from the child Menai
but from her youth, those memories still
did haunt her, and they made her ill
threatening to break her will
of days when she was not yet cold
a darker tale must now be told
and also of, how by the shore
one day she met the folk of lore
her mother was a broken thing
of whom the minstrels still do sing
that had she just been strong of mind
the queen might not have been so blind
Canto XI
O Naalia, so wild, so fair
who still does sing in freezing air
so frail your dreams, so cold your skin
your creatures grow, war does begin
an image of the Gods so cold
you're unforgiving, fears untold
did freeze the smile once on your face
your heart so broken, beats apace
within these old and shaken walls
your laughter cold, it still recalls
the innocence you did destroy
the happiness you did enjoy
When she was young, and still did care
this fair young girl, with long black hair
she tried hard to escape her school
with those old teachers, all were cruel
rather she would spend the day
out in the woods and far away
although the skies were cold and gray
out in the woods, where none could see
she would be completely free
and she would gaze upon the moon
and wish change would be coming soon
she'd hear the birds, and they would sing
"yea, thou shalt undo everything"
White snow covering the lawn
as an early winter dawn
would herald the death and decay
that comes when winter goes away
and soon the last vestige of light
was yielding to the coming night
as winter came, in all his might
and she would cry in solitude
among the trees, now naked, crude
for in none she could confide
the terrors that she had to hide
she sang a quiet, lonely song
of all the things they had done wrong
A dress she had, dark as the night
Just after you put out the light
and sometimes, she would wish to drown
in that cold river north of town
sometimes, she would feel so torn
when she was met with naught but scorn
and she would scream and she would run
from that bright cruel, yellow sun
that sat there watching, as she broke
not even darkness for a cloak
so young and lonely, sad and cold
a frozen beauty to behold
The child was lonely and forgot
and ere long, she'd start to rot
she painted pictures dark and cold
of monsters and strange things of old
and pictures of the stormy sea
and things that now had ceased to be
and horrors none had ever seen
a picture of the fairest queen
in art, the child seemed to confess
that deep inside, she was a mess
she was afraid, she did not dare
to open up, to love and care
this broken child, so young and fair
And often she would lie awake
in darkness, trying not to break
she hid the things they should not see
seeking only, to be free
to flee her state of misery
and in the woods for hours long
she'd sit and cry, how she did long
for someone who could understand
why she was strange, and take her hand
and keep her warm when she grew cold,
say what she needed, to be told
her fears were with her everywhere
dismal horrors in the air
Down by the river she would cry
she wished, if only she would die
so sick and tired of their lie
of all those kids who took to flight
as soon as she came into sight
sometimes she wished that she could fly
into the cold, clear northern sky
so cold and lonely, and distraught
all of her hopes had come to naught
she thought, if she could make them see
perhaps at last she could be free
from sorrow, pain and misery
who always kept her company
She wished that anyone would care
wished for a friend, with whom to share
the fears that for so long she'd known
the terror, that inside had grown
those fears, of which she was the host
they strove to torture her the most
that fear inside, that wicked crow
a torture great, that none would know
that deep inside her heart did grow
that tortured this young girl in sleep
and when alone, the child would weep
atrocities that still do scare
this broken girl, so young and fair
And a million dolls she had
they tortured her, they drove her mad
some had black eyes, curly hair
those broken things did always scare
but still the child, would in them seek
some comfort when she felt so weak
and lonely and misunderstood
inside she knew, that she was good
this poor young girl, so fair and shy
she was succumbing to the lie
that others spake, to make her cry
and in her heart, so fair, though broken
she did keep her fears unspoken
And mourning, she would go away
when she felt too afraid to stay
and hum a melody so fair
the frailest song full of despair
she thought, if only she could drown
in that cold river north of town
she would no longer have to fake
a love, to those who sought to break
her will, and with a single kiss
her father shattered all her bliss
her tale a horrid tragedy
that none but she could ever see
caught in eternal misery
At morning she would leave for school
where many teachers old and cruel
did quethe "I care not what you say
for ours is the only way
now hold thy tongue, if thou wilt stay"
the classroom an unruly hive
Naalia would always strive
to stay in favour of the teacher
lest a fury should besiege her
oft the children had to wait
the teacher's fury to abate
"if there's a man inside the moon"
She thought, "he won't come here too soon"
One night as she lay in bed
Carathim came, and they her led
down to the lake, where things did rot
they told her it should be her lot
to be their fair queen, aging not
the young girl, with a godlike grace
did bow, and said, "I'll take my place"
- my queen", they said, "you have our word
we'll teach them pain and make them hurt"
and knowing that they would her keep
the young girl fell in dreamless sleep
she spake with those, who all would slay
and thus began her slow decay
Now her tale did soon unfold
ere long the queen was growing cold
however, she does still retain
a shred of love, that does remain
and the dread queen would embark
upon a path so cold and dark
of how the queen would cease to smile
this girl so fair, cold and fragile
she soon would learn how to beguile
her castle built in frozen north
her path was chosen, and henceforth
all that was left, a horrid fall
from everything to naught at all
Canto X
In a chamber near the throne
wondering, and all alone
Menai sat upon the bed
so late at night, she hid her head
she felt a growing sense of dread
a pattern she saw, not yet quite
revealed to her, though all this night
she'd sat there lonely, wondering
what did she feel? What was this thing?
she saw that Naalia was descending
into hatred never ending
then she ran into the room
where Naalia dwelt in constant gloom
"Naalia, I beg of thee
please use thine eyes and try to see
- see what, Menai? But fear or hate
they are deserving of their fate!
- won't you please, your anger stay?
There has to be some other way!
- it is too late, it has begun
this darkness shalt consume the sun
- no it's not, it's not too late
you can abandon all this hate
this does not have to be your fate
please turn back from this dreadful way
it leads to nothing but decay!
Menai, I will do what I must
humans, them you cannot trust
- what does that mean? Oh now I see
you do not even trust in me
- Menai, you're something far more fair
than any curséd, earthly heir
- your parents may have done you wrong
like many times you now have sung
but that's no reason to destroy
all that was fair, and have no joy
- yes indeed, it does seem sad
that mankind has decayed, gone bad
as anything I've ever known
a new crop now has to be so
Poetry by Lalando
Read 516 times
Written on 2006-04-11 at 14:42
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